Most cities in North Texas ban the use of fireworks, and as drought conditions spread, fire departments are urging people to follow the rules. This week, the U.S. Drought Monitor showed 96.29% of Texas in some stage of drought.
In North Texas, Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington, Denton, Grapevine, Plano, Frisco, Irving, and McKinney are among cities that do not allow the sale, use, or possession of fireworks. Fines range up to $2,000.
Fort Worth does not allow fireworks in the city or within 5,000 feet of city limits, and the city received more than 4,000 complaints last year.
"Dealing with the drought conditions, lack of rain, and fuels that are on the ground, fire can spread very, very quickly," said the Fort Worth Fire Department's Craig Trojacek.
People can report fireworks using the "My Fort Worth" app, calling a dedicated non-emergency number at (817) 392-4444 or online here.
Trojacek said people should not call 911 to report fireworks.
"We want to make sure we can still give you the quickest response possible to emergencies, so we urge everyone to please use one of the non-emergency tools," Trojacek said.
The city is launching a messaging campaign to warn people about drought conditions and potential penalties if they are caught with fireworks. Fort Worth will also start using surveillance cameras and license plate scanners to catch people using fireworks illegally, monitoring them from the city's Real-Time Crime Center. Citations will then be mailed.
This week, Tarrant County adopted a burn ban, and during the commissioners court meeting Tuesday, Judge Glen Whitley said he was considering adopting a ban on the sale of fireworks.
Tarrant County Fire Marshal Randy Renois said one issue involved people leaving incorporated cities, buying fireworks in the county and returning to their city.
"Now, the cities are having issues with that, and they're kind of looking at us to solve that problem," Renois said.
A ban on fireworks in Tarrant County would only last two and a half days. Whitley says counties can ask the governor's office for an extension, but he would wait until closer to Independence Day to make a decision.
Professional fireworks shows are still scheduled in Tarrant County, and Trojacek urges people to attend one of those. Friday, crews were spraying water on the ground around Panther Island Pavilion, where Fort Worth's Fourth begins Monday at 5 p.m.
"We want to wish everybody in Fort Worth, this beautiful city, a very safe and happy Fourth of July," Trojacek said.
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