The private use of fireworks is prohibited in The Woodlands as part of an official set of covenants that regulate residential and commercial properties in the community.
Montgomery County issued a "Declaration of Local Disaster" July 2 as a result of an increased possibility of wildfires due to drought conditions in the area. Firefighters have responded to more than 30 wildfire calls in the past few days, including eight in which the 911 caller reported fireworks were involved, according to information from the county fire marshal's office.
The only place families can view fireworks in a permitted environment in The Woodlands is at the 16th annual Red, Hot & Blue Festival on the Fourth of July.
"I think there has been a little bit of confusion with why The Woodlands is doing a fireworks show, but bans it in its covenants," said Nick Wolda, president of The Woodlands Convention and Visitors Bureau. "It's something that has happened in The Woodlands for about 37 years and that's produced in a controlled environment by professionals. The Woodlands Fire Department assists in that."
