Summary: Drought and Bans, 28 June 2022, through at least 08 July 2022
Due to the current severe drought conditions and the imminent threat of individuals discharging fireworks into dry grass, trees and brush, Parker County Judge Pat Deen, today, signed an Emergency Declaration of a local state of disaster due to drought and prohibiting the discharge of any fireworks within Parker County effective immediately.
This order does NOT impact the local public fireworks shows in Weatherford or Hudson Oaks.
Currently in Parker County, 100% of the county is listed as abnormally dry, and 66.85% of Parker County additionally classified as in severe drought. Also, the Keetch-Byram Drought Index* (KBDI), maintained by Texas A&M Agrilife Research and Texas A&M Forest Service, is an index that is used to determine fire potential and the current KBDI indicates a KDBI of 590 for Parker County as of June 27, 2022. Furthermore, Parker County has and will continue to experience wildfires across the County, with local fire departments responding to 28 wildfires within the past 7 days and 61 wildfires to date for the month of June.
For more information about this declaration and order prohibiting the discharge of fireworks, call the Parker County Fire Marshal’s office at 817-598-0969.
It is unlawful to use fireworks within the city limits of Willow Park.(Willow Park ordinance Sec. 5.04.001, linked below.) The Willow Park Police Department directs citizens, who want to report the illegal use of fireworks within the city limits, to call the Willow Park Police Dept. non-emergency number (817) 441-9747, and you will be forwarded to the correct law enforcement source.
Other citizens suggest document as much as possible, since law enforcement often arrives after the offense has ceased.
Resources
*Keetch-Byram Drought Index (KBDI)
0 – 200: Soil moisture and large class fuel moistures are high and do not contribute much to fire intensity. Typical of early spring following winter precipitation.
200 – 400: Fuels are beginning to dry and contribute to wildfire intensity. Heavier fuels will still not readily ignite and burn. This is often seen in late spring or early summer.
400 – 600: Lower litter and duff layers contribute to fire intensity and will burn actively. Wildfire intensity begins to increase significantly. Larger fuels could burn or smoulder for several days. This is often seen in late summer and early fall.
600 – 800: Often associated with more severe drought with increased wildfire occurrence. Intense, deep-burning fires with extreme intensities can be expected. Live fuels can also be expected to burn actively at these levels.
Wildfire risk prompts county to ban fireworks discharge, The Community News, 28 June 2022
Parker County issues Emergency Declaration, Weatherford Democrat, 28 June 2022
Parker County Commissioners’ Court Order, Prohibiting Outdoor Burning, 14 March 2022
Willow Park > Burn Ban Through July 8, 10 May 2022
Willow Park Parker County declares state of emergency; temporarily bans discharge of fireworks, 28 June 2022
City of Willow Park Code of Ordinances > Chapter 5 Fire Prevention And Protection > Article 5.04 Fireworks > Sec. 5.04.001 Prohibited. It shall be unlawful for any person to give away, sell, offer or expose for sale, or have in possession with intent to give away, sell or to use, discharge or cause to be discharged, ignited, fired or otherwise set in action, or to possess with the intent to discharge or cause to be discharged, ignited, fired, or otherwise set in action, within the limits of the city, any fireworks, firecrackers, rockets, sparklers, torpedoes, roman candles, fire-balloons, or other fireworks or substances or any combination whatsoever designed or intended for pyrotechnic display, except as hereinafter provided. (Ordinance 307-91, sec. I(A), adopted 11/19/91; 1993 Code, sec. 5.401)
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