Cedar Park Dissuades July 4 Fireworks Use

CEDAR PARK, TX — As fireworks stands open for summer business, the Cedar Park Fire Department reminds residents that most fireworks are illegal in and around Cedar Park.

In addition to potentially starting a fire, fireworks can result in serious injuries, fire officials said, particularly to children. To see the video “Stop the Pop” public service announcement created by local area fire chiefs to discourage illegal fireworks, click here.

“Fireworks cause thousands of injures and many fires each year” says Fire Chief James Mallinger. The Cedar Park Fire Department asks residents to not use fireworks and instead enjoy the professional show the City of Cedar Park is hosting at Milburn Park. The City’s Fourth of July fireworks display at Milburn Park, located at 1901 Sun Chase Boulevard, will begin at approximately 9:15 p.m.

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Chief Mallinger added that because Cedar Park has many fire service areas which are not part of the city, it's important for area residents to understand the law, especially as it pertains to areas outside of city limits.

“Even though State law allows for the sale of fireworks immediately adjacent to the City limits, that same State law makes them illegal to use in the city limits,” Mallinger said.

Mallinger noted that Cedar Park’s ordinance also makes fireworks illegal just outside of the city — within 5,000 feet of city limits — without a special permit. The Cedar Park Fire Department responds to several areas of Travis and Williamson counties, which are not in the city limits but are part of the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction (ETJ).

Fireworks are illegal in those ETJ areas served by the Cedar Park Fire Department, prompting a zero-tolerance policy regarding fireworks. That means police must issue citations to any violators, punishable by up to 180 days in jail and/or a fine of up to $2,000 plus court costs.

In enforcing the fireworks ban, police and firefighters will be patrolling areas for illegal fireworks — both inside and outside of the city limits — during the July Fourth holiday, officials said. To see the interactive map of where fireworks are allowed in Williamson County visit https://gis.wilco.org/maps/?viewer=countymap. The link will be available through July 5.

Since July Fourth means an uptick in outdoor activity and celebrations, Mallinger reminds everyone: “In spite of recent rainfall we’re still at risk. The summer heat makes any moisture that we’ve received evaporate quickly and puts us back to those dry conditions that are ripe for a wildfire. We want everyone to use extreme care with simple things, from outdoor grilling to discarding a cigarette, and remember that a small spark can quickly turn into a fire. The Cedar Park Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Independence Day.”