Dan Shook
Bay City Fire Marshal
The Bay City Fire Marshal’s Office wants to remind all residents that fireworks are illegal in the city limits.
The Bay City Police Department and the Bay City Fire Marshal will be out during the holiday to enforce the Bay City ordinances regarding fireworks.
A citation and/or seizure of the fireworks is likely if illegal use of fireworks is seen.
Using fireworks outside the city limits should be done with extreme caution, since the fireworks increase the risk of fire.
Matagorda County has seen fires in the past that are directly related to fireworks misuse. It is always preferred to leave the discharge of fireworks to the professionals.
Both the City of Bay City and the City of Palacios are planning professional fireworks displays on Friday, July 4.
If you choose to use fireworks, verify you are abiding by the State of Texas and local laws.
There currently is no burn ban in Matagorda County, but that can change.
Verify there is no burn ban by accessing the Matagorda County website: https://www.matagordatx.gov/page/Burn%20Ban.
Only adults should discharge fireworks.
In 2024, there were 14,700 people treated in the emergency room and 11 deaths due to fireworks, with 37% of the injuries being burn injuries.
Keep a good water source nearby to rapidly extinguish any fires that may occur as well as the fireworks containers after they are discharged.
Be mindful of those who live near you.
Animals and small children are sensitive to the loud noises produced by fireworks.
Remember that you may not work the next day, but your neighbor might.
Please be courteous to neighbors and animals.
For questions regarding City Ordinances or Burn Ban, contact the Bay City Fire Marshal at 979-318-7130
Bay City Ordinances:
Chapter 42: Fire Prevention and Protection, ARTICLE III: Fire Prevention Code, Section: 42-80 Fireworks:
No person shall possess any fireworks except in accordance with a permit issued pursuant to the city's fire prevention code.
Chapter 70: Parks and Recreation, ARTICLE II: Conduct in Public Parks, Section 70-36: Fireworks and Explosives:
No person in a park shall bring, or have in his possession, or set off or otherwise cause to explode or discharge or burn, any firecrackers, torpedo, rocket, or other fireworks except for the city sponsored events.
No person shall have in his possession or set off or otherwise explode, burn or discharge any explosives or inflammable material, or discharge or throw such materials into any such area from land or highway adjacent thereto.
This prohibition includes any substance, compound, mixture or article which, in conjunction with any other substance or compound, would be dangerous from any of the foregoing standpoints.
https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks