Dryness causes firework concern

TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - Dry weather in the Wabash Valley is causing renewed concern about the potential for brush fires, prompting many communities to issue burn bans.

While many of those bans do NOT include bans on fireworks, authorities point out that home fireworks displays still have the potential to touch off fires.

J.D. Kesler, of the Vigo County Emergency Management Agency, pointed out that the paper of which fireworks are made can easily blow in the wind, carrying hot embers onto dry grass and brush. Kesler said that makes it all the more important to be careful when lighting fireworks, and he recommends viewing professional fireworks displays instead.

“Of course, when we have the public display … those folks are licensed,” Kesler said. “They are supervised, and of course, the firefighters are right there as they set off the fireworks.”