Arizona officials are expressing major concern over the threat of another wildfire due to fireworks as the Fourth of July weekend approaches.
Tiffany Davila, Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management spokesperson, advises to not set off your own fireworks.
“Conditions are dry, temperatures are still warm. We really haven’t had a lot of precipitation, so just because you can buy fireworks doesn’t mean you should be using fireworks. It all boils down to the public and firefighter safety," said Davila.
Arizona state law allows for seasonal sale and use of certain types of fireworks, such as ground-based spinners and fountains. Novelties like sparklers, smoke balls and party poppers are allowed year-round. Rockets, aerials, shell devices and firecrackers are prohibited, although Arizonans frequently import them from states like New Mexico and Nevada, which have fewer restrictions.
Davila especially warns against fireworks by non-professional companies because of last year's Stage Fire near New River. The fire scorched 268 acres and was caused by fireworks.
In Arizona, which already is being scorched by more than a dozen wildfires, many cities have canceled their public fireworks shows.