SAN ANTONIO -- Fireworks stands opened for business Tuesday in Bexar County.

As of noon, few people showed up to purchase fireworks at the Alamo Fireworks Mega store off Highway 87 in China Grove.

Employees said sales usually start off slow because most people procrastinate and purchase fireworks at the last minute.

A disaster declaration issued in Bexar County may also affect fireworks sale. The declaration shortens the period for selling fireworks, bans the sale and use of aerial fireworks and restricts the use of fireworks to eight safe zones across the county.

Girdley said the declaration was issued because of a few bad apples.

"We get picked on because a few people misuse our product," Girdley said. "And the responsible people ... who go out and safely use them ... get punished, you know, unnecessarily. So, we just ask to be treated like everybody else gets treated."

County officials said the declaration was issued due to the threat of grass fires in the midst of an ongoing drought.

Despite the declaration, Michael Girdley of Alamo Fireworks said that he expects business to be good over the next few days because fireworks is a family tradition on the Fourth of July.

Bexar County Fire Marshal Orlando Hernandez said that inspectors will be visiting stands to make sure vendors have proper permits and are not selling aerial fireworks.

Inspectors will also make sure people only use the fireworks in safe zones.

Violators could face fines of up to $1,000.