Photo courtesy The Woodlands Convention and Visitors BureauDrought conditions prompted Harris County Commissioner's Court to place a ban on missiles with fins and skyrockets with sticks from Dec. 20–Jan. 1.
The use and sale of two types of fireworks—missiles with fins and skyrockets with sticks—will not be allowed in Harris County from Dec. 20–Jan. 1, per a vote Dec. 4 by commissioners court. While it is typically legal to sell fireworks in Texas during this 13 day stretch, worsening drought conditions led to the decision to ban them this year.
When the drought index reaches a certain threshold, commissioners court can enact different preventions, ranging from a burn ban to a ban on fireworks.
"The drought index is about 400 points higher than it normally is this time of year," said Mike Montgomery, county fire marshal. "This is a precautionary measure."
There are no plans for a fireworks ban this season in unincorporated Montgomery County, according to the Montgomery County Fire Marshall's office. Fireworks are prohibited within The Woodlands Township and within Magnolia city limits, as well as other cities, but remain legal in unincorporated areas.
