But thousands may be too many for El Paso nightclubs to handle.

Firefighters conduct random checks at local nightclubs to make sure they meet fire codes and the maximum capacity.

They do this to ensure that people don't get hurt while trying to exit in case of an emergency.

Lt. Mario Hernandez with the El Paso Fire Department said, “We're going to be checking for overcrowding, locked or blocked exits, people parking in fire lanes who could be blocking water connections. We just want to make sure that when the public is out there celebrating the new year, that they have a safe place to celebrate it in."

Hernandez said one of the biggest problems is overcrowding, but he said El Paso nightclubs generally pass inspection on New Year's Eve.