Fireworks have become almost synonymous with Independence Day; they are bright, colorful, loud and conjure images of “the bombs bursting in air” made famous in our National Anthem.
But dry conditions this year may put a damper on some of the celebrations.
Hot, dry conditions have left many areas of the state with a ban on burning and although Lowndes County Fire Administrator Sammy Fondren said a burn ban has not been issued for the area, it could change at any moment.
“We have not issued a county-wide burn ban, yet,” Fondren said. “There are nine northern counties from Pontotoc up that are under burn bans. Burn bans have to be authorized by the Mississippi Forestry Commission. We can request one, but they have to approve it. A ban could happen tomorrow — if we don’t get some rain, it could happen at any moment.”
Fondren said the absence of a burn ban does not mean people shouldn’t use extreme caution when discharging fireworks in the county.
“It is very dry,” said Fondren. “People need to use common sense when shooting fireworks. Keep water nearby in case a fire breaks out. People are going to have to be very careful this year because the ground is very dry.”
Drought-like conditions mean the ground is extremely dry and the risk of fire is greater than normal.
“Shooting off fireworks is not the best of ideas right now,” WCBI Chief Meteorologist Keith Gibson said. “I would recommend having water close at hand if folks do go ahead and use fireworks. Anything that doesn’t fly in the air a great distance and can easily be put out by a hose should be the favored variety this year due to the dry conditions. Drought conditions have been worsening across all of the South during the last few months and they show no signs of abating anytime soon. Any rainfall that we get during the next week or so will be of the spotty variety and it won’t likely put an end to the dry conditions.”
Columbus Fire and Rescue Chief Ken Moore had some blunt words for those thinking about shooting fireworks in the city limits of Columbus.
“Don’t do it,” Moore said. “Shooting fireworks in the city limits is illegal. With the conditions are dry as they are, (Police Chief Selvain McQueen) and I have had a meeting and the ordinance will be enforced this year. We are in a major drought condition and the smallest spark could start a fire. I will not be issuing any burn permits until it rains.”
McQueen confirmed the CPD’s hard-line stance on the matter.
“Chief Moore is correct — we will be enforcing the city’s ordinance prohibiting fireworks this year and we will hold people accountable by writing citations,” McQueen said.
McQueen said parents purchasing fireworks for their children should supervise the shooting of fireworks in the county and pre-emptive measures should be taken.
“Hopefully no juveniles will be able to purchase fireworks without their parents,” McQueen said. “Make sure you keep some water handy in case there’s a fire. We want everyone to have a fun, safe Fourth of July. But we don’t want anyone to burn their house down in the process.”
For those who live in the city or don’t want to shoot fireworks, other options are available. Columbus Motor Speedway will be hosting Tuesday Night Thunder tonight beginning at 7:30 p.m. with fireworks scheduled for around 9 p.m. Plantation Pointe Retirement Community will have free fireworks for the community beginning at dark on Wednesday.
“You can see it from the highway,” Plantation Pointe Marketing Director Doug Kilarski said. ” A lot of people like to get on the lake side. It keeps getting bigger and bigger. We’ve done a lot of advertising and inviting community. Families can bring their kids and chairs. It’s really easy to get in and out and enjoy the show.”
Jeff Clark was previously a reporter for The Dispatch.
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