Officials urge caution on fireworks

Drought conditions a cause for concern

New Year’s fireworks are off-limits in Boerne, but celebrants in unincorporated areas of Kendall County still can launch their own light show – but do it safely, officials said.

Kendall County Fire Marshal Brad Constantine and Boerne Volunteer Fire Department Chief Manny Casarez note two fireworks are strictly prohibited anywhere: consumer-grade missiles with fins and skyrockets with sticks.

According to Boerne’s website, there are no fireworks allowed inside the city limits “including Boerne City Lake and all city parks. Please leave fireworks use to the professionals and consider attending a local fireworks show.”

In preparation for the holiday, Constantine’s team will be working from 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. on New Year’s Eve, Wednesday, to News Year’s Day, Thursday.

First responders learned valuable lessons when 2024 became 2025, he added.

“Last year was crazy,” Constantine said. “Multiple vehicle fires, multiple house fires.”

Working alongside Casarez, Constantine will conduct inspections at local fireworks shops to ensure prohibited materials are not being sold.

In addition, firefighters offered these safety tips:

• Avoid storing unused or spent fireworks in a car, which was the No. 1 cause of vehicle fires at this time last year.

• Keep children away from fireworks.

• Spectators should maintain a safe distance.

• Never light fireworks under the influence of alcohol.

“We have seen unfortunate incidents.”

— Manny Casarez, Boerne Volunteer Fire Department • Drench your spent fireworks in water prior to going to bed.

“We have seen unfortunate incidents caused by leaving spent fireworks in the bed of a truck or boxes near a structure only to wake up to a much larger fire,” Casarez said.

The biggest risk, however, comes with the area’s dry vegetation.

“Our current Keetch-Bryam Drought Index is 652,” Constantine said. “Please be safe out there.”

The drought index is used to determine the potential for forest or brush fires. The index ranges from 0 to 800, where 0 represents plenty of moisture to 800, which means absolutely dry conditions. For more on fireworks safety visit www.ci.boerne.tx.us/FAQ. aspx?QID=66.