County Judge

Fort Bend County, TX

Robert E. Hebert

Fort Bend County Judge

  Phone (281) 341-8608 

OR (281)238-3462

www.fortbendcountynews.info

PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

Governor Perry extends Disaster Declaration to July 6, 2009

Texas Governor Rick Perry granted the request made by County Judge Bob Hebert to extend the 60-hour Disaster Declaration banning the sale and use of aerial fireworks that specifically include "skyrockets with sticks" and "missiles with fins" through July 6, 2009 at 7:00 A.M.

Due to the combination of an extended period without precipitation and the heat advisory for all of Southeast Texas contributing to the risk of wild fire, County Judge Robert Hebert signed a Disaster Declaration on June 24, 2009 that by law is effective only for a 60-hour period, for areas in unincorporated Fort Bend County.   Simultaneously, Judge Hebert made a request to  Governor Rick Perry to extend the 60-hour period that was granted yesterday. 

"My primary concern is the safety and welfare of our citizens, and I do not believe that the Outdoor Burn Ban adopted by Commissioner's Court earlier this week  is sufficient to protect life and property as we enter the July 4th season under the current drought conditions and heat advisory," stated Judge Hebert, " I am glad that Governor Perry supports this initiative and I appreciate the fast response we received from him extending the declaration."

We encourage the public to enjoy many of the professional public fireworks displays planned around the county as the order does not apply to those persons holding a valid Pyrotechnic Operator's licence or a valid Pyrotechnics Special Effects Operator's License that are in accordance with the law.

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