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SALT LAKE CITY -- An unusually wet spring has led to unusually lush hillsides, which will lead to dangerous fire conditions once those weeds and grasses dry out and turn to tinder.
Add to the equation a new law that allows for the sale and use of more powerful fireworks -- and double the number of days all fireworks may be lit or launched -- and it's no wonder fire prevention experts are shaking their heads.
The new law was passed ostensibly to prevent sales tax revenues from leaving Utah and gracing Wyoming, where so- called "aerial repeater" fireworks are sold legally -- apparently to a lot of Utahns who smuggle them home. The period of use was expanded from three days before and after July 4th and 24th holidays, to a full 30 days beginning June 26.
The law will have little practical impact because -- let's face it -- there were no real enforcement efforts to keep the Wyoming fireworks from coming to town, and not all fireworks aficionados recognized or obeyed the 14-day use period, anyway.
No doubt, there is irony that our "rule of law" Legislature voted overwhelmingly to pass a law created largely because existing laws weren't being obeyed. But now, with much more liberal rules governing pyrotechnic celebrations, real enforcement of those rules becomes much more important.
Salt Lake City and other governments have banned use of fireworks across large swaths of territory out of concern of extreme fire hazard. The state fire prevention board has ruled that vendors who sell the more powerful products give verbal warnings and instructions to customers to make sure they know what they are getting into.
Fireworks are a popular part of our annual patriotic celebrations. But with freedom comes responsibility, and this year, the potential for calamity is high.
KSL encourages the responsible use of fireworks, and for those who act irresponsibly, we strongly encourage law enforcement agencies to vigorously pursue action against those who choose to ignore the rules and as a result put property and safety in danger.
