As fire officials make their annual appeal for firework safety, owners of some fireworks stands scramble to find a place to open for business.

Zach Stateson, owner of Pyro Works, a fireworks stand that used to be located outside of the Dam Store, just west of the Ray Roberts Lake dam, is bothered. In the past couple of years, he had to move his stand three times to abide by cities’ ordinances.

DRC/Al Key

Zach Stateson is shown Thursday in the fireworks stand that he and his family run east of Sanger on FM455. Stateson has had to move his operation three times as cities annex land either where he set up a stand or close enough to enforce ordinances prohibiting the sale of fireworks.

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“The cities have just been killing us,” Stateson said, while moving his current stand once again to a spot at 2722 FM455, east of Sanger.

He said that in the last three years, his business had been affected by cities and their land annexations.

“We had a stand on Sherman Drive [FM428] then the city of Denton annexed that, then we moved out to Providence and the city of Little Elm annexed it,” he said.

Stateson and his partner, Terry Lundgren, received a call last week that they could not open their stand outside the Dam Store because Denton annexed more land to the north.

“Although they did not annex that land, they annexed land close enough to us that we were no longer outside of the 5,000 feet that was required,” he said.

Stateson said he and other owners of fireworks stands are frustrated by the frequent annexations that keep forcing them to move.

Stateson said he and Lundgren have spent about $3,000 relocating their stand, which requires them to disconnect electrical parts to take everything down.

“It cost us $1,000 just to remove the light on top on our stand,” he said. “They are not taking into consideration all the casualties they are making along the way.”

Residents who are interested in lighting fireworks have to worry about a different restriction.

Jody Gonzalez, Denton County emergency management coordinator, said that although most cities within the county have outlawed fireworks inside their corporate limits, it is still legal for those living in unincorporated areas of the county to light fireworks.

However, Gonzalez said that doesn’t mean that city dwellers can park on the side of a country road to shoot fireworks.

“You must have the property owner’s permission,” Gonzalez said. Otherwise, the offense is a Class C misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $500.

Property owners in freshwater supply districts are frequently confused about the law in their area, Gonzalez said. Deed restrictions and homeowner’s association rules restrict fireworks in those subdivisions.

So, a Lantana or Savannah homeowner who lights fireworks in his backyard, for example, isn’t violating the law by lighting fireworks. But his neighbors can seek a civil remedy since it violates covenants of the neighborhood, Gonzalez said.

Professional fireworks shows, such as the annual Denton Kiwanis Club’s show and other Independence Day celebrations in the county, are allowed.

State law has long required county officials to decide by June 15 whether to ban holiday fireworks. A new law also requires that the Keetch-Byram Drought Index, used to assess potential fires, be 575 or higher on June 15 to enforce the ban. According to Gonzalez, there is not a ban in place, nor does he foresee having one before the upcoming holiday.

For those who will be lighting fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county, the Texas Forest Service has issued a list of safety recommendations, which include keeping a bucket of water, wet towels and a garden hose nearby in case of emergencies, and allowing used fireworks to cool thoroughly before handling to avoid possible burn injuries.

“It only takes a spark to start a wildfire,” said Tom Spencer, fire risk assessment coordinator for the Texas Forest Service, via a news release. “Fireworks, especially aerial fireworks, can be the source of that spark.”

As for Stateson, he will count on loyal customers to follow him and his partner wherever they go.

“Hopefully, we will be OK here,” he said, hoping he is not asked once again to relocate away from his new spot in Sanger. “We are 100 percent legal, and yes, we have all of our permits.”

Staff writer Peggy Heinkel-Wolfe contributed to this report.

KARINA RAMÍREZ can be reached at 940-566-6878. Her e-mail address is kramirez@dentonrc.com.

Safety guidelines

Recommendations from the Texas Forest Service:

* Adhere to all county and city fireworks laws and restrictions.

* Use fireworks outdoors, away from dry grass and buildings.

* Follow label instructions on how to properly discharge fireworks.

* Only use fireworks with close adult supervision.

* Keep a bucket of water, wet towels and a garden hose nearby.

* Discard used fireworks; never try to relight them.

* Allow used fireworks to cool thoroughly before handling to avoid possible burn injuries.