Fireworks-related damage contained despite defiance of ban

On June 30, Parker County Judge Pat Deen received a letter from the Texas Division of Emergency Management that officially extended Parker County’s burn ban and sufficiently quelled any thoughts of a fireworks-filled Fourth of July.

While the sale and distribution of fireworks was not banned, discharging them was — aside from approved events run by the communities.

As many expected, some still launched their fireworks in the days leading up. The Parker County Sheriff’s office instructed citizens to report any discharge and the response was overwhelming. For the day of July 4, a line was set up for fireworks reports so that 911 emergency lines would not be overwhelmed.

Aside from a small fire breaking out in Hudson Oaks during the Boomin’ 4th event, the night of the fourth went along without any major issues. Though the Parker County Sheriff's office received hundreds of fireworks complaints, none of them proved to be a big threat.

After 9 p.m. 11 grass fires were reported and were dealt with swiftly, including one on Aledo-Iona Road shortly after 11 p.m.

However, in the early hours of July 5, two calls came in reporting fires that required assistance from multiple agencies. One call came just outside of Poolville, south of Jacksboro Highway, the other off White Settlement Road and Apollo. Both were reported within minutes of each other. The latter was determined to have been caused by fireworks and resulted in major damage to three structures. No casualties were reported.