Summary: Fireworks are illegal to possess, use, and sell inside the city limits of Willow Park. If you set off fireworks inside the city, you could be cited and fined, and, if any damage occurs, you could be charged with arson. Instead, attend the Hudson Oaks or Weatherford professional fireworks displays. An estimated 11,500 people in the US were treated for injuries in hospital emergency departments due to the mishandling fireworks; in 2020 twenty six (26) people died of firework-related injuries.
Latest Update: 03 July 2024; posted 28 June, 2024
No means NO Fireworks in Willow Park.
UPDATE: 02 July 2024
• Parker County Illegal Fireworks Hotline, Parker County Facebook.
Citizens wishing to report fireworks can call 682-333-0002. After a brief message the caller will be prompted to leave a message with the location of the violation.
Due to the high volume of calls that telecommunicators are expected to be receiving regarding fireworks, the Sheriff's Office and the Parker County Fire Marshal's Office have again set up a hotline for people to call to report the ILLEGAL discharge of fireworks.
Citizens wishing to report fireworks can call 682-333-0002. After a brief message (see below) the caller will be prompted to leave a message with the location of the violation.
If you wish to report an actual fire or a crime, please hang up immediately and dial 9-1-1, otherwise, leave a voicemail providing the precise address of fireworks discharge you wish to report. Although Parker County may be under a daily burn ban, the sale and discharge of fireworks on private property, in the county, is not prohibited by law. We are taking many calls reporting fireworks. The Parker County Fire Marshall’s Office and the Parker County Sheriff’s Office will not be responding to calls concerning the legal discharge of fireworks or firearms in the county during reasonable hours this holiday season. Please do not call multiple times, we are working many calls and there can be a delay in getting to your call.
Fireworks are illegal to possess, use, and sell inside the City Limits of Willow Park. If you set off fireworks inside the city, you could be cited and fined, and, if any damage occurs, you could be charged with arson. [1] [4]
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.
Instead of bucking the law and common sense and neighborly courtesy, attend one of the great local, professional firework displays.
• Boomin 4th Hudson Oaks, Parker County’s larges fireworks show.
• Weatherford's Spark in the Park, More than just fireworks.
The United States is seeing a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. In 2021, an estimated 11,500 people were treated for injuries in hospital emergency departments due to the mishandling of live, misfired and waste consumer fireworks. [2] In 2020, twenty six (26) people died of firework-related injuries. [3]
Sources and Research
[1] 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)
[2] Educating the Public About Safe Handling of Fireworks, US Fire Administration, 27 June 2023 Excerpt The United States is seeing a significant upward trend in fireworks-related injuries. In 2021, an estimated 11,500 people were treated for injuries in hospital emergency departments due to the mishandling of live, misfired and waste consumer fireworks.
[3] Agencies warn against firework use this 4th of July, CentralValleydotCom, 27 June 2023, Excerpt. In 2020, approximately 15,600 people were rushed to hospital emergency departments across the country due to fireworks-related injuries, up significantly from 10,000 in 2019, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. In the same year, 26 people died of firework-related injuries.
As we head into our country's Birthday Week, we’d like to remind all residents of Willow Park that the sale, possession, and use of fireworks within the city is AGAINST THE LAW, period. At best, you will be fined if you’re violating the ordinance. At worst, you could be charged with arson if you start a fire. This includes even the “little ones” like sparklers (which get as hot as a blowtorch, by the way).
They’re not worth it, don’t do it. It’s illegal. It’s dangerous. It’s just a really bad idea.
Make good choices for your neighbors, your property, your community, and your first responders. As always, we will be here if you need us.
• Texas A&M Forest Service Encourages Safety During The Fourth Of July Holiday, Texas A&M Newsroom, 29 June 2023
• Several Killed in Fourth of July Fireworks Accidents Across U.S., Newsweek, 05 July 2022
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