The top local stories this morning from KERA News:
At least five counties in North Texas have banned the use of fireworks on this Independence Day as the threat of wildfire spreads. Disaster declarations for Palo Pinto, Parker, Erath, Johnson and Hood counties prohibit the use – but not the sale – of fireworks within their borders for 60 hours.
National Weather Service meteorologist Lee Carlaw in Fort Worth says conditions are just right for wildfires.
"Even with just rather light winds, we're noticing some considerable fire activity and grass fire starts over the last couple of days,” Carlaw said. “Especially as you get west of I-35 where it has been drier and hotter."
Crews are working to contain a brush fire in Palo Pinto County, where the Texas A&M Forest Service reports it's grown to 3,000 acres with 10 percent containment. Carlaw with the Weather Service says the fire friendly conditions are staying in the forecast.
Anyone caught breaking the burn ban in Palo Pinto, Parker, Erath, Johnson and Hood counties is subject to a $500 fine.
Other stories this morning:
- What goes into making colorful Fourth of July fireworks displays? With a Ph.D in chemistry, UNT professor Amy Walker knows a thing or two about the science behind the boom. In today's Breakthroughs, we're going to revisit a conversation Walker had about fireworks with KERA's Justin Martin.
You can listen to North Texas stories weekdays at 8:22 a.m. and 6:20 p.m. on KERA 90.1 FM.
