Americans in 2021 consumed 428.8 million pounds of fireworks, resulting in: unhealthy particulate matter, atmospheric pollution, chemical pollution of soil and groundwater, and microplastic pollution of water. https://earth.org/environmental-impact-of-fireworks/
The National Fire Protection Association cites that, in 2018: 1) hospital emergency rooms treated 9,100 people for fireworks related injuries, and 2) fireworks started 19,500 fires that caused five deaths, 46 injuries and $105 million of property damage. https://www.nfpa.org/education-and-research/home-fire-safety/fireworks “Between 1980 and 2016 CE, more than 11,000 wildland fires were ignited by fireworks, and nearly two-thirds of these ignitions (62.6%) occurred during the two-week period encompassing the 4th of July.” https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10473470/
The Humane Society of the United States describes how fireworks result in: lost and injured pets, terrified wild animals causing increased accidents by fleeing into traffic, birds abandoning their nests or dangerously taking off en masse, injured and orphaned wildlife flooding rehabilitators after the holiday, and mistaken consumption of spent fireworks casings by wildlife and their young. https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/fireworks-explosion-fear-animals The damage to wildlife by fireworks is not just short term but, rather, includes long term damage to wildlife breeding and struggling populations such that drone or light shows should be considered as replacements for public celebrations. https://www.earth.com/news/fireworks-can-have-long-lasting-impacts-on-wildlife/
The City’s website states that: “It is illegal to use or sell fireworks within the City of Austin,” describes reporting of non-emergency violations through 311, and notes that “the Fire Marshal’s Office still issues citations for violating the fireworks ordinance, and vigorously prosecuted persons responsible for starting fires as a result of fireworks.” https://www.austintexas.gov/department/fire/faq
North Loop Neighborhood Association 