June 22, 1999
Hot, dry weather might mean a relatively quiet Fourth of July, at least
in some neighborhoods.
Fireworks will definitely be banned in some areas in Salt Lake City this
year, and may be banned in many more areas, because of the risk of fire.
News Specialist Shelley Osterloh has the story.
Fireworks are fun, but they can be dangerous.
Our cool wet weather has created thicker vegetation that, when it dries,
could be fuel for wildfires.
Capt. Devin Villa, of the Salt Lake City Fire Department says, "Now we are
going to get into July and the anticipated 90 to 100 degree temperatures-- it
can dry this grass out fast. And create a large fuel load."
Salt Lake City has banned all fireworks in the following areas:
- East of Foothill and Wasatch Drives.
- North of the University of Utah
- North of 17th North
- Anywhere in City Creek Canyon
- West of I-215
Salt Lake County Fire Deparment, on the other hand, has not banned
fireworks anywhere.. yet.
Fire Marshall Conrad Hintze, of Salt Lake County, cautions, "However it's still
pretty green. We haven't had enough hot or dry weather to really start it
turning. So right now we anticpate no bans in any of the areas, that could
change very quickly if we got some hot dry weather."
Fire officials are most worried about illegal fireworks-- those purchased
outside of Utah.
"Fireworks that explode, fireworks that go above 15 feet in the air. As I
mentioned, the bottle rockets for example, they end up on roofs-- If it's a
wood roof-- I personally expeienced a roof fire from a bottle rocket, on my own
home."
Fireworks stands are popping up all over the place. But remember, state law
says you can only light fireworks three days before and three days after the
holiday, so you'll have to wait until July 1 before you light any.
At this point, only the Salt Lake City Fire department has issued any
fireworks bans.
But as we get closer to the holiday and if weather conditions change, others
may also ban fireworks in certain areas.
