Independence Day fireworkscelebrations have been thwarted in recent years by thepandemic, but 2022 The year has brought new challenges. July 4th in the form of drought and extreme heat.
According to the latest report from the US Drought Monitor, nearly half of the continental United States has had some degree of drought. The good news for the Southwest is that the monsoon rains provide the coveted relief for dry landscapes. However, many areas remain drought.
Hot, dry leaves and fireworks can be a dangerous combination, so many large fireworks shows are held on the water to prevent wildfires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association
, fireworks launch an estimated 19,500 fires each year, more than any other day on July 4. Has been reported.Due to drought and wildfire weather, some communities in California, Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Texas have completely canceled the fireworks display due to risk. In some cities, we're rethinking what a fireworks show looks like and looking at drones as a solution.
Hire a Denver-based company, UAV Pro, to use a drone to create a sync light display. The owner told FOX Weather that the drought was continuing and there were calls from all over the west to provide an alternative to fireworks.
Below is a list of fireworks bans and cancellations in Western and Texas due to weather-related factors.
Arizona
This year in Phoenix City Has canceled the three largest fireworks festivals, but the city has raised issues with the supply chain to access fireworks, rather than concerns about wildfires.
Flagstaff will use a laser light show instead of fireworks this year due to wildfire concerns. The pipeline fire ignited about 6 miles north of Flagstaff in mid-June, eventually consuming more than 26,500 acres.
Due to the recent monsoon rain, some fire restrictions in the city have been lifted . Flagstaff is currently under stage 0 fire limits.
Texas
Most fireworks restrictions and cancellations are centered on exceptional droughts It's happening in Texas. problem.
Bell County Judge David Blackburn explained that the county experiences about five wildfires or wildfires daily due to dry and hot conditions.
Texas is expected to rain in the next few days from a tropical cyclone in the Gulf of Mexico .
Despite the rain from the beginning of this week prior to the weekend of July 4, Blackburn said it was still very hot and dry.
, very cautious, "Blackburn said. Told. "There is some moisture on the ground that wasn't there before it rained, but it's back, and we all need to be very cautious and very careful."
Bell The county temporarily lifted the ban on fireworks from July 1st to July 4th, but the ban on aerial fireworks continues to be enforced.
Even if it's been raining more than 3 inches this week, Blackburn said it's a "small band-aid" for serious problems.
"Again, here we are temporarily bailed out for a few days," he said. "We are still on the verge of drought. Unless you can get some of the rain you were talking about in the Gulf to swarm here, we'll keep it all summer. I think I'm going to do it. "
In some Texas The county has restrictions on the sale of certain fireworks products, including: Williamson and Travis counties are also banned from burns.
"Williamson County urges everyone to pay close attention to this Independence Day so that everyone can have a safe holiday," said County Judge. Bill Gravel said in a statement. "To that end, we work with the Texas Pyrotechnic Association and Williamson County's largest retailer, American Fireworks, to prevent fireworks through this decision not to voluntarily sell stick rockets and missiles with fins and ladders. Enhanced performance. These products have the highest risk of fire. "
In eastern Texas, the City of Athens and the Texas Freshwater Fisheries Center are due to an ongoing fireworks ban in Henderson County. , Canceled the "Fireworks in Fisheries" event.
Nueces County, including Corpus Christi, is one of many counties where burns are banned. The county commissioner limits fireworks, including types with "sticks, missiles, fins".
County Judge Ben Zeller has declared a regional disaster in Victoria County, including limiting the sale of fireworks for a week due to the ongoing drought.
Comal County, where New Braunfels is located, has similar bans due to dryness. Fireworks sky rockets attached to finned sticks and missiles were part of the ban and came into effect on June 24th.
Similar bans on fireworks using sticks and missiles have been enforced in San Antonio and Bexar County.
To ban burns in Potter and Randall counties firework. The ban may be lifted if significant rainfall alleviates the drought.
The sale and use of soaring fireworks was temporarily banned in Waco until July 4, after McLennan County authorities resolved to enact a ban due to ongoing drought. rice field.
New Mexico
According to US drought monitors, most of New Mexico remains in the most severe category of exceptional drought. The northern and southern parts of the state are experiencing extreme to moderate drought conditions.
New Mexico Governor Michelle Hungry Sham signed a presidential order in late April and set fireworks in communities in New Mexico's municipalities and counties. Requested to ban retail sales of. The Governor's request came when the Calf Canyon and Hermit Peak fires began, becoming the state's most important and consuming more than 340,000 acres.
Some towns and counties have restrictions in response to the governor's call.
Bernarijo County members ban open flames Voted to do Fireworks due to extreme drought conditions.
Artesia city leaders enacted an ordinance in May banning aerial fireworks and certain types of fireworks in the city. Mayor John Henry wrote on Facebook a resolution banning certain fireworks within the city limits that pose an extreme fire hazard in "environmental conditions like us."
After the welcome monsoon rain, Albuquerque will host the 4th Freedom Event at Balloon Fiesta Park with fireworks. Consumers can only use certain fireworks in the city. Fireworks labels that say "warning" are illegal, and fireworks labels that say "caution" are legal.
"July 4th is the busiest day for our members. "Every year," said Albuquerque Fire Marshal Chris Romero in a statement. "The safety of our community is our priority and we ask the residents of Albuquerque to help us by using only careful and legal fireworks. The team patrols the entire city and open spaces to respond quickly to emergencies. ”
California
In California, the state Over 60% are in extreme drought and 12% are in exceptional drought. Drought monitor in the United States.
During the ongoing drought, Carlsbad city leaders extended the ordinance on the sale and use of fireworks within the city limits. This rule was first adopted 10 years ago and banned the use of fireworks audible in the air and on the ground. Restrictions were extended in May while Eddy County was hit by an exceptional drought.
The San Joaquin Valley Fireworks Show at Lake Don Pedro has been canceled due to continued drought, including the expected low water levels of the lake.
Colorado
Castle Rock's pyrotechnic show has been canceled due to dry weather conditions. The city has been subject to the first stage of fire regulation since April 21st. Under these regulations, the sale of fireworks is permitted, but the use of private fireworks is not permitted.
Utah
Most of Utah is in extreme drought, with an exceptional drought in the middle of Beehive.
In Ogden, Fire Captain 10 We issued an order to ban fireworks and open flames in certain areas until mid-March. The banned areas are designated as the areas with the highest risk of wildfires due to severe drought conditions.