SAN ANTONIO -- Officials with the City of San Antonio and Bexar County issued a warning on Thursday that people could face thousands of dollars in fines if they are caught setting off fireworks.

San Antonio Fire Chief Charles Hood said the fire department will patrol local neighborhoods, along with San Antonio Police, to catch violators. Those caught violating the law will be cited and their fireworks seized, Hood said. Violators face fines of up to $2,000. It is also illegal to possess or transport fireworks in the city.

Bexar County Fire Marshal Orlando Hernandez said the only place in the county where people can set off fireworks are eight vendor-sponsored safe zones. (PDF)

“In those areas, they work with the volunteer fire departments and what they do is they cut the grass and then they burn off that vegetation,” Hernandez said. “When people are using ground fireworks in those zones, they’re using it in an area where there is no more fuel to spread a fire.”

Hernandez said people caught setting off fireworks outside the safe zones will be cited and could face fines of up to $1,000. Both the city and county have set up hotlines to report violators.

City of San Antonio Hotline: 210-207-7963

Bexar County Hotline: 210-335-FIRE (3473)