El Paso Firework Restrictions Could Extend To 4th Of July

You might want to think twice before launching that bottle rocket this Fourth of July, especially if you’re planning to do it in the desert outskirts of El Paso County.

What’s Banned and Where?

El Paso County officials have issued a temporary ban on certain types of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. Specifically, anything classified as a “skyrocket with a stick” or “missile with fins” is off-limits. If you’re wondering whether that includes your favorite boom-stick that zips into the air and explodes like a Michael Bay movie, yes, that’s the one.

These fireworks are considered higher risk because of their unpredictable flight paths and tendency to start fires where fires very much do not belong, like on your neighbor’s roof or in a patch of bone-dry brush.

Violating this ban could land you a Class C misdemeanor. Translation: a ticket, a fine, and possibly becoming that person on the neighborhood Facebook group.

Within the City of El Paso, fireworks are banned year-round. If you didn’t know that, congrats, you’re probably not from here. The County only puts these restrictions in place temporarily. They did the same thing last year, and now they’re back at it again.

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Why the Restrictions This Year?

Here’s the deal. El Paso is dry. Like, brutally dry.

Most of El Paso County is currently under “exceptional drought” conditions, with the rest listed as “extreme drought,” according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. The Keetch-Byram Drought Index, which measures how ready vegetation is to ignite, recently clocked El Paso at 703 out of 800. That’s not just dry. That’s “look at something wrong and it might catch fire” dry.

That level of risk is exactly why county officials are pumping the brakes on airborne explosives. Even one stray firework could lead to wildfires that damage homes, injure people, and exhaust local fire departments.

What Fireworks Are Still Allowed?

Not all fireworks are banned. Only the ones with sticks or fins that shoot into the sky are restricted. You can still legally buy and use “permissible fireworks” as defined by Texas law. These are generally the safer, ground-based kinds you’ll find at your standard roadside stand. If it spins, sparks, or shoots a small fountain but doesn’t take off like a NASA test flight, it’s probably okay.

Still, don’t let the word “legal” make you forget common sense. Even permitted fireworks should be used responsibly, and definitely not near dry grass or in high-wind conditions.

Officials Are Watching Closely

The County Commissioners Court is keeping an eye on the drought data and fire risk right up through July 4. They’ve even left the door open for stricter action, including declaring a local disaster, if conditions get worse.

County Commissioner Iliana Holguin acknowledged the impact this might have on local vendors but emphasized that safety comes first. “We still maintain very vigorously a watch over how the [KBDI] increases or decreases the closer we get to the 4th of July,” she said.

So for now, the message is clear. Enjoy your Fourth, but keep your celebrations grounded. Literally.