Jul. 3--Forget about trying to light fireworks within the Harlingen city limits.

The Harlingen fire and police departments will be looking for fireworks this Fourth of July weekend, said Jaime Quiroga, the public education officer for the Harlingen Fire Prevention Bureau.

Discharging fireworks within city limits is illegal. However, some holiday celebrants will still try to get away with it. And there is no law governing fireworks in the county areas.

HFD is authorized to confiscate and dispose of any fireworks lit within city limits, Quiroga said. Firefighters can issue warnings or call HPD to issue a citation if they deem it necessary.

For those living outside the city, Quiroga said he hopes users will use the products safely with adult supervision and a water source close by.

"Fireworks can go off and land in tall grass in a neighbor's yard," Quiroga said. "And that could cause our officers to come out and risk their lives for an avoidable incident."

HPD will have extra officers patrolling on Saturday, Lt. Miryam Anderson, a public information officer with the department, said.

"In the past we have had a problem with unsupervised children and fireworks," Anderson said.

Boaters and sailors venturing into the coastal waters will not have a free pass on fireworks either.

"Typically what happens is we get people with fireworks," U.S. Coast Guard officer Carl Hammond said. "So we'll start getting flare reports for people who may or may not be in distress."

Hammond advises boaters to not shoot fireworks off in the Gulf of Mexico. Boaters should reserve flares for emergency cases only.

The other issue Coast Guard patrol boats face is boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol, Hammond said.

A BUI, boating under the influence, is the same as a DUI, driving under the influence, Hammond said. The limit is 0.08 and BUI violators will lose their automobile driver's licensee for between six months and one year. Violators can also be fined up to $2,000, according to DUI.com/texas.

Coast Guard patrol boats will stop any boat they suspect to be driven under the influence. Officers can arrest boaters whom they believe are in violation, Hammond said.

"We don't usually arrest people because our field sobriety tests don't always hold up in court because the person is on a boat," Hammond said. "But we will call local law enforcement and have them meet us on shore with the person."

Coast Guard does have breathalyzer tests they can administer, Hammond said.Quiroga said he has heard some concern about fireworks sold at Wal-Mart and at convenience stores. But those stores only sell noisemakers that do not require lighting a fuse.

The best policy for people who want to see fireworks is to go see a scheduled municipal display, Quiroga said.

Both Harlingen and San Benito will be launching fireworks after dusk. Harlingen will set off its display at Harlingen Field at 9 p.m.; San Benito's display should start around 9 p.m. at W.H. Heavin Memorial Park.

The South Padre Island Convention & Visitors Bureau will display fireworks on the bayside of the island between Marlin and Red Snapper Streets at 9:15 p.m.

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