Villages of Woodland Springs Homeowners Association

Ignorance is no Excuse

Fire Works

For those who choose to ignore, there are many reasons not to shoot fireworks off in a residential neighborhood:

And Society wonders why we have so many troubled youth? Just look at the role models.

City of Fort Worth

Let Pros Handle the Fireworks Shows
When celebrating July 4, don’t light that firecracker or sparkler in or near the Fort Worth city limits. In fact, setting or possessing fireworks within 5,000 feet of the city limits is a Class C misdemeanor with fines of up to $2,000.
Hot Stats on Fireworks
* More than 9,500 fireworks injuries are treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms annually. Approximately 50 percent occur among those less than 15 years old.
* Fireworks cause more than 24,000 fires in the United States each year, resulting in an estimated $17 million in property damage. The period surrounding the July 4 holiday accounts for nearly two-thirds of all fireworks related injuries.
* Sparklers, which adults routinely give to children, burn at 1,800 F — a temperature hot enough to melt gold.
Attend one of the many public fireworks displays in the area and leave the fireworks to the pros.
In the hands of amateurs, fireworks can cause property damage and injuries. Last year, the Fire Department responded to 1,410 fireworks-related calls the week of July 4 — 783 on July 4 alone.
Fireworks
Fire and Police personnel will be on patrol throughout the July 4 holiday period targeting firework violations. To report a violation, call 817-922-3000.
Do not call 9-1-1.
Residents who want to shoot off their own fireworks by going more than 5,000 feet — almost one mile — outside the Fort Worth city limits should first check the fireworks laws in any other cities or counties they may be entering.
Many people believe that it is legal to use fireworks in any part of the unincorporated areas of Tarrant County. That is not true. Either you must own the property yourself or have permission from the owner to utilize fireworks in these areas. Remember, ignorance of the law is no excuse. So, letting the professionals handle fireworks is the wisest idea.

"..It is indeed against City Ordinance to even possess the fireworks. The ordinance states:



3301.1.3 Fireworks. The possession, manufacture, storage, sale, handling and use of fireworks are prohibited. Exception: The use of fireworks for display as permitted in Section 3308. Section 3301.2.1; change to read as follows: 3301.2.1 Sale and retail display. No person shall construct a retail display nor offer for sale explosives, explosive materials, or fireworks.



The ordinance also includes territorial jurisdiction:



3301.10 Territorial applicability. The provisions of this article shall be applicable within the corporate limits of the city and also within the area immediately adjacent and contiguous to the city limits and extending outside the city limits for a distance of five thousand (5,000) feet unless such area is within the corporate limits of another municipality.



We had officers teamed up with fire marshals to address the possession and discharge of fireworks during the July 4th Holiday...



Shawn Stone, Lieutenant

North Division - N.P.D. 3"

Tarrant County

Commissioners Court extends burn ban
Although recent rainfall has relieved some of the drought conditions affecting North Texas, wildfires remain a threat in Tarrant County.
Therefore, upon the recommendation of Fire Marshal Randy Renois, the Tarrant County Commissioners Court today (September 12, 2006) extended a ban on all outdoor burning. Further, it approved a Declaration of Disaster and authorized the County Judge, Tom Vandergriff, to sign an Executive Order prohibiting the use of all combustibles in Tarrant County until the state of disaster is terminated.
The ban is in response to the threat of wildfires due to the drought conditions that exist in the County. The Texas Forest Service determined that drought conditions exist in Tarrant County and supports this request for a ban on outside burning.
The executive order specifically states that the use of combustible materials in an outdoor environment by any person is prohibited. Combustible materials include but are not limited to the use of all fireworks, discarding of cigarettes or other flammable materials, materials used in activities such as welding and any other activity that could result in a fire. For detailed information on welding, go here.
Violations of any of these Orders are a Class C Misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.00. People who want to cook outdoors during the burn ban can get additional information about that activity here. Rural residents are advised to make sure that they keep an area of about 30 feet mowed around their homes and out buildings to prevent a fire from reaching those structures.
Unless conditions countywide improve sooner, the Court will reassess the need for the burn ban and the prohibition on the use of combustible materials in 90 days.
For any additional information on the Burn Ban, please contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 817-838-4660.