County fireworks restricted

By Kathy Thomson

The start of a new year is a time for celebrating, and local emergency responders remind county residents to make sure that any fireworks used in the revelry are handled safely and legally. 

Dry conditions and high winds this fall sparked the county commissioners to reinstate the county burn ban at their regular meeting on Tuesday, Nov. 12.

Even when a burn ban is not in effect, the use of fireworks is never allowed inside the city limits of either Albany or Moran. The use of fireworks on county roads is also prohibited.

Fireworks inside city limits are never allowed.

On Monday, Nov. 25 county judge Robert Skelton and the county commissioners issued very specific restrictions banning certain fireworks within the county, with details in an ad in this issue.

All fireworks must be fired from private property outside the city limits and with the landowner’s permission.

As of Dec. 16, the majority of Shackelford County was at a moderate to high risk of wildfires, according to the state forest service.