May 24, 2007
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Officials in Georgia are urging people to forego fireworks over the Memorial Day weekend because of the danger of wildfires. Severe drought conditions have left lawns, leaves and bushes as combustible as kindling.
Fire officials normally don't worry about fireworks until the Fourth of July, but some retailers have begun stocking them in time for Memorial Day.
A record-setting wildfire burning in and around the Okefenokee Swamp has made officials even more cautious. In Ware County -- where one of the large fires began five weeks ago -- the county commission plans to vote this afternoon on a 60-day fireworks ban.
The Georgia Forestry Commission has sent 30-second radio spots to 200 stations statewide warning Georgians to be extra cautious outdoors with cigarette butts, barbecue grills and lawnmowers this holiday weekend.
The agency also says fireworks -- even the limited types that are legal in Georgia -- pose too great a risk to be used at all.
Georgia banned all fireworks until 2005, when state lawmakers voted to allow sales of sparklers and other items that don't explode or shoot balls of flame.
Firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles as well as many others are still illegal.
Found it here : http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=6562809&nav=5kZQ
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) - Officials in Georgia are urging people to forego fireworks over the Memorial Day weekend because of the danger of wildfires. Severe drought conditions have left lawns, leaves and bushes as combustible as kindling.
Fire officials normally don't worry about fireworks until the Fourth of July, but some retailers have begun stocking them in time for Memorial Day.
A record-setting wildfire burning in and around the Okefenokee Swamp has made officials even more cautious. In Ware County -- where one of the large fires began five weeks ago -- the county commission plans to vote this afternoon on a 60-day fireworks ban.
The Georgia Forestry Commission has sent 30-second radio spots to 200 stations statewide warning Georgians to be extra cautious outdoors with cigarette butts, barbecue grills and lawnmowers this holiday weekend.
The agency also says fireworks -- even the limited types that are legal in Georgia -- pose too great a risk to be used at all.
Georgia banned all fireworks until 2005, when state lawmakers voted to allow sales of sparklers and other items that don't explode or shoot balls of flame.
Firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles as well as many others are still illegal.
Found it here : http://www.walb.com/Global/story.asp?S=6562809&nav=5kZQ