Sizzling summer temperatures are taking some of the sizzle out of the Fourth of July.
In Fayetteville, residents who try to celebrate the nation’s independence with fireworks could be fined $120 this year. Springdale officials plan to meet later this week to decide whether a fireworks ban is needed there.
Because of dry conditions, Mayor Lioneld Jordan issued a burn ban Wednesday prohibiting outdoor burning, including using fireworks.
The ban is in effect until the city receives “significant rainfall,” according to a news release from the city. No rainfall and hot temperatures are predicted through the holiday.
“This is a decision that came hard,” said Harley Hunt, fire marshal. “We didn’t want to make it, but at the end of the day, we have to do what’s best for citizens.”
Jordan announced the ban in the afternoon, several hours after Washington County Judge Marilyn Edwards issued a ban for the county. That ban remains in effect until she cancels it.
The city’s ban doesn’t impact fireworks shows that receive a city permit. Hunt said the only display with a permit is the Fayetteville Freedom Fireworks Display scheduled Wednesday at the Northwest Arkansas Mall.
Police Cpl. Dale Montgomery said with the burn ban in effect, he expects officers will be directed to ticket people who setting off fireworks illegally.
The city announced the ban the day before the small window of opportunity in which fireworks can be purchased in the city.
In Fayetteville, fireworks can be sold between June 28 and July 5. Under normal conditions, fireworks can be used between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. July 1 to 3. On July 4, fireworks can be used between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Fayetteville’s ban doesn’t stop the sale of fireworks.
Carla Hefner’s family has four fireworks tents in Northwest Arkansas this year, including one on McMilllan Drive off Wedington Drive in Fayetteville. She said the ban will hurt demand for her products.
“Normally in dry years people go for ground fireworks like snakes, sparklers and fountains,” she said.
Hefner said she expects customers will still buy other fireworks to stock up for birthdays and other holidays.
A meeting later this week will determine if Springdale also bans fireworks because of the burn ban.
Mayor Doug Sprouse said he’ll meet with members of the Fire Department and Jeff Harper, city attorney, to decide what the city will do.
Public fireworks displays will go on, Sprouse said, unless conditions become much worse.
The public displays permitted in the city include the Springdale Country Club and Arvest Ballpark on July 4, at the Rodeo of the Ozarks and Arvest Ballpark on July 5 and again at Arvest on July 6.
The country club is shooting from a fairway with a sprinkler system and the rodeo from a parking lot, said Ed Stith, fire marshal.
“We will have a couple of fire engines at Arvest to make sure the hayfields around it don’t catch fire,” Stith said.
The Fire Department will not be issuing burning permits until conditions improve, Stith said. If a decision is made to have a city ban, fireworks other than the permitted displays will not be allowed, he said.
Sprouse urged residents to use common sense and take responsibility for their actions with fireworks, if the city doesn’t issue a ban.
The state Forestry Commission asked local officials Wednesday to limit most fireworks this Independence Day to reduce fire danger amid the drought.
The commission sent a letter to the County Judges Association of Arkansas strongly encouraging those who haven’t done so to impose bans and to include prohibiting fireworks except those permitted by the county judge.
A red flag burn ban in effect for 24 hours was issued in Benton County on Wednesday.
Web Watch
Fire information
Statewide information about wildfires, burn bans and other dangers can be reviewed at www.arkfireinfo.org.