Coryell County Issues Disaster Declaration Prohibiting Use of Fireworks

By BRITTANY FHOLER

Cove Leader-Press 

Coryell County has issued a Disaster Declaration prohibiting the use of fireworks in the county, but the sale of fireworks is still allowed, following the Commissioners’ Court meeting Tuesday morning. 

The disaster declaration only prohibits the use of fireworks, but not the sale.

The exception is for public displays permitted by the governing body of an incorporated municipality. 

The public displays must be conducted by a licensed and bonded fireworks or pyrotechnics vendor, and appropriate fire response vehicles or equipment must be on site when they are conducting the display.

In the city of Copperas Cove, a public fireworks display is scheduled for Monday evening at 9 p.m., at the Cove Life Fourth of July Celebration. Although this event is not sponsored by the city of Copperas Cove, the church did obtain approval for the fireworks. 

“I think it’s a great event for Copperas Cove  the city isn’t really hosting it, but they are allowing it to happen, so we wanted to be cognizant of that and allow those displays to happen,” said County Judge Roger Miller. “The city of Gainesville has a longstanding tradition of public fireworks display, and so we didn’t want to hinder them to be able to continue to do that as well.”

While neighboring Bell County had put in a restriction on the sale of fireworks, especially aerial fireworks, which had been amended to limit the days of selling down to just four, Coryell County did not want to place any restriction on the sale. 

Regarding not restricting the sale of fireworks, Miller acknowledged the economic impact that fireworks have. 

“My thinking on that is more of that’s an economic thing, and that’s the way people make money,” Miller said. “If people choose to still buy fireworks, that’s their own choice, even though it doesn’t really make sense for them to do that, but that’s still their own choice.”

Miller said that it might seem counterintuitive, but if someone wanted to buy and shoot fireworks, they likely would just go to a county where they are able to do so. 

“I would rather them buy them here in Coryell County, and we get the sales tax revenues off of them than them drive someplace else, buy them and then come back here and shoot them off,” Miller said. 

There is a “hefty fine” and punishment associated with shooting off fireworks in the county, however, he said. 

The maximum fine for using fireworks in Coryell County is $1,000, with up to 180 days in jail. 

He added that he would be reaching out to the city managers within Coryell County and asking for them to have law enforcement enforce this to the maximum extent of the law. 

“We do take this very seriously,” Miller said. “Just drive around the county a little bit and you see these little burned out spots on the side of the road, and that’s really from just people flipping cigarette butts out of their car and it catching the grass on the side of the road on fire. That’s just how extreme the conditions are.”

The use of fireworks within the Copperas Cove city limits is already prohibited and the Copperas Cove Fire Department issued a reminder via their social media page.

“Discharging fireworks within the city limits is illegal (without a permit and many other precautions) and dangerous for everyone right now due to high fire potential. Recklessly started fires from fireworks can cause injuries, and extensive property damage. This year, on the 4th of July, my Fire Investigators may be out enforcing City Ordinance regarding firework prohibition. 

For those that do not know, these Fire Investigators are State of Texas Certified Peace Officers and have authority to issue citations. None of us want you to have to pay a heavy fine. We’d rather you help us ensure our community just has a fun, but safe, holiday. If you recklessly cause damage to property of another due to fireworks, you could be charged with an offense under Texas Penal Code.”

Those reporting anyone setting off fireworks should call area law enforcement non-emergency numbers: Copperas Cove Police Department 254-547-8222, or Coryell County Sheriff’s Office 254-865-7201.