El Paso County considering fireworks ban due to drought

EL PASO, Texas -- El Paso County Commissioners Court on Monday discussed a possible ban on fireworks usage given the current drought the Borderland is experiencing.

The Keetch-Byram Drought Index rates the county's drought condition between 700 and 800 on its scale, with 800 being the most severe rating an area can have.

Fernando Viramontes, representing TNT Fireworks in El Paso, asked commissioners to allow firework vendors to sell during the busy season in June and July this year. Viramontes said the industry has suffered from the pandemic and needs to be able to sell for at least one full week to generate revenue.

Viramontes also asked commissioners to make their decision before June 15, so fireworks vendors have time to be able order supplies.