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Janice Peterson
As the fourth of July holiday approaches, fire marshals around the state urge safe use of fireworks and have issued restrictions.
Fireworks are restricted in the eastern bench areas in Provo, generally east of Canyon Road in north Provo; Timpview Drive, 900 East, Slate Canyon Drive and State Street in south Provo.
"We just have to try to take care of our watershed," said Provo Fire Marshal Jim Guynn.
Guynn said fires in the mountain areas east of Provo could damage vital water resources for the city. Wildland areas destroyed by fire cannot retain melting snow as well, and burned debris can contaminate water coming down from the mountain.
"A burned hillside in a storm creates muddy debris flows," he said. As with last year's restrictions, fireworks are also prohibited in Provo within 20 feet of combustible elements such as dry vegetation and homes or fences. Parks are also off limits, but the city has designated areas within Sertoma Park, Exchange Park, Fort Utah Park and Footprinter's Park for fireworks use.
Springville Fire Marshall Phil Whitney said that city has also banned fireworks beyond its eastern boundary, from 1400 North to the south Springville/Mapleton border. Whitney said the restrictions have been in place for years, but the city reevaluates 30-day weather patterns and plant conditions each year.
"That grass is still high and dry right now," he said.
Although the city still has restrictions in place and they may be in effect through the 24th of July, Whitney said the fireworks are no longer prohibited in the west fields.
Regulations on county lands have also loosened this year, and fireworks will be allowed in most of the valley. County Fire Marshal Dennis Barker said the county has banned fireworks in certain areas in the past, but those restrictions have now been dropped. However, an ordinance will go into effect July 3 prohibiting the use or possession of fireworks permanently in county canyons and high elevation areas.
Barker said the fireworks restrictions in Urban-Wildland Interface areas can be found as part of the Utah County Fire Prevention and protection Code 9-6-9. For more information on urban-wildland interface areas, residents can call the fire marshal's office at 851-8348. The county will not impose restrictions in other unincorporated areas unless there are problems, and residents have been careful in the past, he said.
"We've been real fortunate in the county because people have been understanding that fireworks cause fires," he said.
Barker said most of the fires caused each Independence Day are caused by the use of illegal fireworks. Any fireworks that shoot into the air are illegal, and a popular item is the bottle rocket. Barker said the bottle rocket is often shot far into the air into areas the users cannot see, where it ignites plants. The county has not been as dry this year as in the past, but Barker said it is still important to be cautious and follow safety precautions.
"We're hoping that people will use their heads and not use illegal fireworks," he said.
Guynn said many fires in Provo are also caused by legal fireworks that are used incorrectly. The fireworks are often set off too close to combustibles, and Guynn said altering the legal fireworks can also cause big problems. Teenagers and young adults often alter legal fireworks to make them more potent, but Guynn said the high temperature and fast burning compounds should be handled correctly.
"Not used carefully, it's just old-fashioned, plain and simple, dangerous," he said.
Orem Fire Marshal Bret Larsen said using legal fireworks carefully could prevent disasters. Larsen said a child should not light the fireworks, and the item should not be held while it is being lit. Fireworks should also be kept away from the face and users should not try to throw them.
A bucket of water should be handy to douse fireworks, and residents should not take it for granted that the flammable items have been put out. A common cause of house fires related to fireworks is leaving spent fireworks in a garbage can near the house. Even if the fireworks have been doused with water, they may not be fully put out. After a night of smoldering in a lidded trash can, Larsen said the fireworks can start a fire even the next day. "I'd leave them in the water overnight and throw them away the next day," he said.
Injuries and property damage can be avoided by using legal devices in the right areas, with common sense.
"It all depends on how smart the people are and how careful they are," Larsen said.
SAFETY TIPS
• Do not allow young children to play with fireworks under any circumstances. Sparklers, considered by many the ideal "safe" firework for the young, burn at very high temperatures and can easily ignite clothing.
• Children cannot understand the danger involved and cannot act appropriately in case of emergency.
• Older children should only be permitted to use fireworks under close adult supervision. Do not allow any running or horseplay.
• Light fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from houses, flammable materials and dry leaves or grass.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby for emergencies and for pouring on fireworks that don't go off.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks. Douse and soak them with water and throw them away.
• Be sure other people are out of range before lighting fireworks.
• Never ignite fireworks in a container, especially a glass or metal container.
• Keep unused fireworks away from firing areas.
• Store fireworks in a dry, cool place. Check instructions for special storage directions.
• Observe local laws.
• Never have any portion of your body directly over a lit firework.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
Safety information provided by the Provo Fire Department. For a list of approved fireworks, visit firemarshal.utah.gov/Fireworks/Fireworks.html. |
