Fireworks Will Be Legal in El Paso County This 4th of July

Residents in Montana Vista and other incorporated areas of the county are going to have to suffer through another 4th of July of traffic, trash, and terrified pets.

Because drought conditions did not reach the minimum limit required for a ban by June 15, fireworks will be allowed in El Paso County again this year.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index is what is used to determine potential fire risks due to drought conditions. It must reach at least 575 points in order for a ban to be realized. County officials acknowledged it was not dry enough to meet the minimum requirements to ban “sticks and fins.” Conditions are not expected to worsen enough to issue an emergency disaster declaration either.

Texas law allows fireworks to be sold beginning on June 24 through midnight on July 4.

So that means you'll be able to stock up on black cats, Roman Candles, screaming mimis, lady fingers, fuzz buttles, snicker bombs, finger blasters, gut busters, zippity do das, crap flappers, spleen splitters, whisker biscuits, honkey lighters, hoosker doos, hoosker don'ts, cherry bombs, nipsy daisers -- with or without the scooter stick- and whistlin' kitty chasers as early as next Monday.

Now keep in mind, the green light to pop pertains to the unincorporated areas of El Paso County only. You still cannot shoot, possess or buy fireworks inside El Paso city limits