Fireworks are illegal within city limits of Lamesa

GETTING READY TO LIGHT UP THE SKY First Baptist Church Preacher Chris Powell sells fireworks to Roland Lopez and Jose Morales on Friday afternoon just outside the city limits of Lamesa. Fireworks will be sold at local stands through July 4. The discharging of fireworks inside the city limits of Lamesa is illegal and can result in a citation for a Class C misdemeanor and a fine up to $500. Local residents also are being cautioned to be extremely careful with fireworks because of the persistant drought conditions throughout the county. The Keetch-Byram Drough Index for Dawson County had increased by 15 points just from Tuesday to Friday. That rating was 573 on Friday, compared to 558 on Tuesday. (Regina Crutcher/Press-Reporter)

In lifting the burn ban and fireworks ban last month, county officials have placed no restrictions this Fourth of July on the use of fireworks in the unincorporated parts of Dawson County.

But local residents are reminded that a longtime city ordinance does ban the use of any fireworks inside the city limits of Lamesa.

“It’s the same ordinance we’ve had here for many, many years,” Captain Larry Flenniken said Friday at the Lamesa Police Department. “No fireworks of any kind are allowed to be discharged inside the city limits.

“We are actively enforcing that ordinance and will continue to do so through July 4. Anyone who is identified by police as discharging fireworks inside the city limits will be given a citation and will have their fireworks confiscated by the police as evidence.”

Violation of the city ordinance is a Class C misdemeanor, which could result in a fine of up to $500.

Citations can be issued to anyone age 12 and above who violates the ordinance, Flenniken said, while the parents of anyone under the age of 12 can be given a citation if their child violates the ordinance.


(See complete story in printed edition of Lamesa Press-Reporter on newsstands now.)