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With more illegal fireworks expected this weekend, firefighters and police will try to dampen the danger. Today we have information on what you can expect if you're caught shooting them off.
Parts of the state were rain-soaked and even flooded this week, but look around, and you'll see most of our neighborhoods, parks and open spaces are extremely dry.
It's run and gun for fire fighters across the Wasatch Front, no matter what shift they're on. Overnight, there were two Utah County fires: one burning down an old restaurant in Bridal Veil Falls, the other charring "Y mountain". Police arrested James Hebda and Camille Gardner for lighting fireworks.
Fast-forward to 4:30 this afternoon. Firefighters in Cottonwood Heights started their shift fighting a field fire that got dangerously close to Jenny Clark's home. "We actually pulled out the hose and started spraying down what we got in the yard. As far as we know, we don't know how it started," Clark said. However, firefighters say someone started it, and they did find fireworks in the area.
Fortunately, the fire acreage burned in Utah so far this year is a small fraction of the damage from last year. But for Capt. Chad Willey and his crew at the South Davis Metro Fire Department, it's been busy. He said, "We started the month of July with three fireworks-related fires for me and my crew, just out of our station."
In Sandy, firefighters and police have a warning and want help from the community.
"If you're caught using an illegal firework, you will be issued a citation," said Capt. Toby Kirby, with the Sandy Fire Department. "Any misuse of legal fireworks, you get a $500 fine, and that's minimum. It can go up from there."
Bottom line: A wildfire endangers lives and property. "In the summertime, around this time, I would be willing to say that well over half of field fires are probably caused by some kind of misuses of fireworks," Kirby said.
Kirby showed us the kind of illegal fireworks firefighters confiscate every summer. He tells us they seize a lot of bottle rockets, which are big trouble because sparks can cover a lot of distance quickly.
"They go up, they explode, they cause a spark. One spark is all it takes, one little flame. Next thing you know, you got a field on fire, half the mountainside," said Sgt. Victor Quezada, spokesman for the Sandy Police Department.
Law enforcement officials won't take chances with fireworks. "We have a no-tolerance policy, and we will confiscate, and we will issue a citation," Quezada said.
From the 4th of July to the 24th, Sandy firefighters have issued 20 fireworks citations.
Fire and police departments hope most people will use legal fireworks responsibly. When using those, make sure an adult is near and keep a bucket of water or a hose ready to use.
And just so you know, you can only light fireworks during the three days after the holiday.
E-mail: jboal@ksl.com
E-mail: gkennedy@ksl.com
