Communities in Washington state and Oregon have imposed restrictions or outright bans on fireworks, while Cupertino, California, joined Alaska’s largest city of Anchorage in canceling signature fireworks shows because of drought concerns.
The massive blazes that have marked an early start to the fire season, along with forecasts for scorching weather during the Fourth of July weekend, also have led police to crack down on illegal pyrotechnics sales, and lawmakers have issued stern warnings.
“I suggest to show our patriotism, fly U.S. flags, not fireworks,” said Erin Janssens, Fire Chief in Portland, Oregon.
In Alaska, where 26 large wildfires and hundreds of smaller ones were burning on Thursday, bans on fireworks were in place in Anchorage, the southern Alaska town of Houston, near where a 7,200-acre (2,910 hectares) blaze destroyed 55 homes, and in Fairbanks, where smoke from nearby fires inundated the city, leaving layers of ash on cars.
The news is not all bad for fireworks enthusiasts on July 4, however.
Light rains and cooler temperatures in Alaska midweek prompted the state fire marshal to lift several fireworks sales bans.
See Full Story Boise Weekly
