Weather conditions will not limit fireworks for Fourth of July celebrations as it did in 2012, officials said.
Burn bans prohibited personal fireworks in much of Benton and Washington counties because of drought last year. Some community fireworks displays were canceled or postponed.
Bans seem unlikely this year.
At A Glance
City Fireworks Codes
Bentonville
• Fireworks can be purchased June 20-July 5.
• Legal fireworks may only be shot off July 3-4 from noon to midnight each day, provided the owner of the property consents.
Rogers
• Fireworks can be purchased June 20-July 5.
• All legal fireworks may be discharged on private property between the hours of 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. July 3-5, provided the property owner consents.
Springdale
• Fireworks may be purchased June 28-July 5.
• All legal fireworks may be discharged on private property between the hours of 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. July 1-5, provided the owner consents.
Fayetteville
• Fireworks may be purchased June 28-July 5.
• Fireworks may only be discharged upon private property with the consent of the property owner between the hours of 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. July 1-3 and from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4.
All Cities
• Aerial fireworks that travel on a stick (for example, bottle rockets) are not allowed to be sold or discharged in Benton and Washington counties.
• If a city or county burn ban is in effect, it supersedes other rules and regulations and prohibits the discharge of fireworks.
• If anyone under age of 16 is present, an adult at least 21 years of age must supervise the discharge of fireworks.
Source: Bentonville, Rogers, Springdale and Fayetteville fire departments
“It’s been pretty green with the rainfall we’ve been getting lately,” said Dennis Ledbetter, Washington County fire marshal. “It would have to change dramatically for a ban to be considered.”
A burn ban may be unlikely, but bans on skyrockets and other aerial fireworks attached to a stick remain in place in some communities, officials said.
Safety and supervision of minors is important, when lighting fireworks, said James Scherer, a doctor at Mercy Pediatric Clinic. There have been instances of death with improper handling of fireworks, he said.
“Fireworks can be exciting for the Fourth of July, but they are best left to the professionals. Personal fireworks can be unpredictable and can result in personal harm, ruptured ear drums, eyes, mucus membranes, and burns,” Scherer said. “Never approach a firework that has been lit that did not ignite. Make sure to pour water over it for safety measures.”
Colby Hale, stand manager for Hale’s Fireworks near the intersection of Bloomington Street and Apple Blossom Avenue in Lowell, said people should be smart when lighting fireworks.
“Make sure you’re shooting off flat ground. Don’t stand above an item you’re lighting, and don’t relight something if it doesn’t go off,” he said. “We guarantee our fireworks, so anything that doesn’t go off, they can bring them back and get a refund or we can get you a new one.”
Fireworks sales began Thursday in Rogers and Bentonville, but sales will not start in Springdale and Fayetteville until Friday, according to city codes.
The success of a fireworks stand depends on the location and the tent size, but fireworks tents can make about $20,000 in one season, and business normally picks up about July 1, Hale said.