Published: July 02, 2009 09:28 pm      

Shooting fireworks banned in city limits

Watch, don’t shoot.

That’s the reminder that City of Palestine Fire Marshal Alan Wilcher wants people to keep in mind as they celebrate the Fourth of July this weekend.

People found with fireworks inside the Palestine city limits will have them confiscated and possibly face charges, Wilcher said.

“We can issue a citation. That will be up to the officer’s discretion,” Wilcher said.

Shooting them off in the county isn’t a good idea this summer, either, he added.

“They’re all out in the county but due to the conditions, I would highly suggest not popping fireworks in the county,” Wilcher said.

While Anderson County is now under a burn ban, fireworks are not included. The law requires that a burn ban be in place 60 days before the start of the sale of fireworks.

However, Anderson County Sheriff Greg Taylor said that if fireworks start a fire, that’s a different story.

“They can still pop ’em,” Taylor said Thursday afternoon. “It’s only if they start a fire with fireworks” (that they could face a burn ban violation).

Wilcher said essentially the same thing.

“If they start a fire, they’re going to be responsible for anything,” Wilcher said.

Instead, people should find a good spot and watch the free fireworks show put on by the City of Palestine Saturday, Wilcher said. The show will begin at dark from the area in front of Story Elementary School, 5300 N. Loop 256.