When you think Fourth of July, what comes to mind? Red, white, and blue? Barbecues? American Flags? Fireworks? This year, however, many people will be celebrating without fireworks. Personal fireworks have been outlawed for some time now, but various accidents and weather conditions have caused some cities to ban fireworks this year entirely.
Among the cities without fireworks this year are: Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, Joplin, MO, and Mobile, AL. Wildfires are one of the factors in canceling fireworks. New Mexico, a state that normally allows personal fireworks, has decided to ban them this Fourth of July due to the many wildfires there this season. In Arizona, authorities have banned …
… public fireworks in numerous cities because of wildfires as well.
Another reason for the recent bans in natural disaster. The tornadoes that came through cities such as Joplin, Missouri and Old Sturbridge Village, Massachusetts, destroyed firework launch pads, resulting in more public firework show relocations and cancelations.
The state showing the most concern toward public firework shows is Texas. The drought that has put Texas in it’s driest 8-month period since record-keeping began in 1895, has made the environment too vulnerable for fireworks. 233 of the 254 counties have banned fireworks due to the dryness, 100-degree days, and high winds. According to Fire Marshal Terrance Mckinney of Amarrillo, Texas, ”The conditions right now in the Amarillo area are essentially a tinderbox.”
So if you’re lucky enough to catch a firework show this Fourth of July, spare a thought for those who are missing out on the fun!
