CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — Fireworks are a staple on the Fourth of July, but they are not allowed to be set off in the Corpus Christi city limits.
The beach and sand dunes are the most common areas people light off fireworks on Padre Island, according to fire officials. It can quickly create a dangerous situation.
First responders said preparation is key to be ready. Nueces County Emergency Services District 2 said they plan with other local fire departments to make sure they can handle any fire or medical emergencies during the holiday.
"It's almost inevitable, you know, people are out having a good time, and so, it does happen pretty often," Nueces County ESD 2 Fire Chief Weston Beseda said.
Beseda is talking about people lighting off fireworks on Padre Island for the Fourth of July. He said his department and the Corpus Christi Fire Department are ready to respond to fires anywhere on Padre Island or Flour Bluff.
"We are prepared in the event that if something does happen, we have the resources already on the Island to try to mitigate the situation as fast as possible," Beseda said.
It comes after a massive brush fire near J.P. Luby Surf Park last weekend, which was caused by fireworks. Beseda said it burned about 60 acres.
Nueces County Coastal Parks Director Scott Cross said dry brush creates the perfect fuel for a fire.
"Once you get to the dunes, it is gone like wildfire," Cross said. "I mean, it happens very quickly."
Cross said fireworks are a major risk in the area because of high winds. Over the last five years, Nueces County ESD 2 sets up near his office at Padre Balli Park to cut the response time down significantly.
"It just allows them a much quicker response time, you know, with all the construction we've had going on when they were doing that bridge and stuff," he said. "These guys can be there in a matter of seconds."
Beseda said the number of fireworks-related fires on Padre Island varies depending on how busy the area is every year. He credits other fire departments for their help with responding to them.
"The outstanding working relationship with the other departments is a huge, huge asset to us to be well-prepared," Beseda said.
Beseda said Nueces County ESD 2 also has a boat on the water to help them patrol the area until Fourth of July celebrations are over.