Safety first

Texas' summer fireworks season starts today, and first-time seller Jeffery Dyess is expecting long lines at his Mr. W stand despite extremely dry conditions and the county's ban on aerial poppers.

"I don't think it'll make much of an impact," Dyess said with a big grin.

He expecting handsome revenues, considering just one Mr. W stand made $14,000 last year.

But local fire departments, county commissioners and landowners are hoping July 4th enthusiasts won't lose their focus on safety in the rush to stock up on sparklers and Black Cats. Fireworks will be on sale today through July 4.

West Odessa Volunteer Fire Department Chief Jimmy Ellis pleaded with county commissioners June 9 to ban whatever fireworks they could, warning that if they didn't, "we're going to burn the rest of the county down."

Commissioners banned the sale and use of rockets with sticks and missiles with fins, the most they could do by state law. They could only ban the sale and use of all fireworks if a disaster declaration came through from the governor's office because of severe drought, but commissioners haven't heard back from Gov. Rick Perry yet.

Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association, said all fireworks enthusiasts should exercise extreme caution, especially when setting off fireworks in a dry area.

"Make sure that you wet down grass, and keep a bucket of water handy as well as a garden hose," Heckman said.

She said fireworks users should make sure that areas are free of dry grass, shrubbery and combustibles, and a sober, responsible adult should be in charge of all firework activities.

She also stressed that children should be closely watched.

"Even sparklers can be dangerous if mishandled," Heckman said.

At a special meeting June 13, commissioner Barbara Graff suggested setting up a fireworks "safe zone" somewhere in the county where people could set off pyrotechnics under police and fire department supervision, but commissioner Freddie Gardner said last week that no landowner has come forward to donate the 100 or so acres necessary to accommodate the zone.

Gardner said commissioners could approve a safe zone in a special meeting before this weekend if a landowner comes through. If an area is designated, it will be the only place people can set off fireworks legally in Ector County.

If not, Gardner said sheriff's deputies will be out in full force to make sure people are having fun legally.

FOR SALE:

>> What: Texas' summer fireworks selling season.

>> When: Today through July 4th.

>> What's banned: Rockets with sticks and missiles with fins.