As the nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary, cities and states are restricting fireworks due to extreme wildfire risk. Utah has banned personal fireworks displays, while governors in Colorado and New Mexico are urging restraint. Cities and counties from the Southwest to Oregon and Washington have imposed their own restrictions.
Why the Restrictions?
The risk of wildfires is high due to dry, windy conditions. Nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by people, both intentionally and unintentionally. Fireworks serve as an ignition source, which is why the number of fires spikes each year on July Fourth. Experts are encouraging people to attend professional fireworks displays instead of lighting their own.
Some cities, like Colorado Springs, have canceled their fireworks displays due to the high risk of wildfires. Others are making the tough decision to restrict fireworks for the first time. Frank Wirth, fire chief in Alamosa, Colorado, made the decision to cancel his town’s fireworks display due to dry conditions.
Staying Safe
If you do plan to use fireworks, make sure to buy from a reputable licensed seller and follow the instructions to avoid injuries. Have a bucket of water handy to soak the spent fireworks before disposing of them. Pay attention to local authorities and be mindful of any restrictions.
Intentionally or unintentionally causing a wildfire is a punishable offense nationwide. The safest option is to forego personal fireworks and opt for a professional show, where fire crews are usually on standby.
Original reporting: NBC10 Boston — read the source article.
