Utah is in a state of extreme fire danger this summer.
Some experts are wondering if the state should adopt a statewide BAN on fireworks.
Though most fireworks are banned from sale in Utah--each summer many Utahns enjoy lighting either legal or illegal fireworks.
And--that could be a recipe for disaster.
Arizona - Two explosive fires--on the verge of merging--burning out of control.
1200-thousand acres.
At least a dozen homes destroyed--so far.
Colorado--three wildfires.
200-thousand acres burned.
141 homes destroyed--so far.
Utah has--so far--been spared that hell-like vision.
But--with our dry conditions--low moisture in plants--and continued development near wild lands--Utah is a firestorm--waiting to happen.
Capt. Dee Putnam/Salt Lake Co. Battalion: "WE HAVE PEOPLE STILL BUILDING UP AGAINST THE MOUNTAIN HERE. A LOT OF PEOPLE WITH SHRUBS, BUSHES, TREES, SCRUB OAK, QUAKIES RIGHT UP AGAINST THEIR HOUSES, SO FAR WE'VE BEEN VERY FORTUNATE WE HAVEN'T BURNED UP THE WHOLE EAST SIDE TO BE HONEST WITH YOU."
One enormous worry this year: fireworks.
Arizona has a statewide, year-round ban on fireworks.
And earlier this month--Colorado's governor temporarily adopted the same policy.
Gov. Bill Owens/(R) Colorado: "I AM TODAY ANNOUNCING THAT I AM BANNING THE SALE AND USE OF FIREWORKS, EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY IN THE STATE OF COLORADO UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE."
Next week--Utah's governor plans to call for a ban of fireworks on state land.
He will request local governments to enforce their ordinances--and will step up UHP enforcement of fireworks being illegally brought into the state.
But given this year's EXTREME fire danger--it's an open question--among firefighters--if Utah should consider an outright ban.
Clint Smith/Salt Lake County Fire Dept.: "IN TERMS OF THE FIRE FIGHTING COMMUNITY THAT WOULD BE THE EASIEST THING FROM OUR PERSPECTIVE TO DO."
Putnam: "I LOVE FIREWORKS. MY FAMILY LOVES FIREWORKS. BUT THERE COMES A POINT WHERE WE GET SO DRY WE NEED TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT THAT IS UNPRECEDENTED."
June 21, 2002
