SAN ANTONIO -- With very little measurable rain over the past weeks, Bexar County fire officials are gearing up for possible grass fires over the next few weeks leading up to and including Independence Day.

Drought conditions across the region have county officials worried the approaching holiday weekend will be a repeat of this past New Year's holiday.

"We're in a bad condition," said Ross Coleman, assistant fire marshal. "Right now, the drought index is about 680 for Bexar County, which is extremely dry."

Throughout the New Year's holiday, firefighters across the county ran ragged as they responded to numerous brush and grass fires, many of which they believe were sparked by fireworks.

"We're going to go to Commissioner's Court (Tuesday) and request an aerial firework ban, which is for rockets with sticks and missiles with fins," Coleman said.

After the holiday, some county leaders began calling for a complete ban of fireworks when conditions are abnormally dry, but the decision can't be made at the county level.

"We don't have the authority to completely ban them, but we can restrict where they can be used," Coleman said.

A complete ban on fireworks would have to come from the state legislature, Coleman said.

Fireworks sales in Bexar County begin on June 24.