Misuse of Fireworks Cause Danger Due to Dry Weather
By: Jennifer Penate
Updated: July 4, 2012
REDINGS MILL, MO.--- It was around 9:30am yesterday when this fire was started.
"Fires would start easier later in the day be we ignited a fire in just seconds," states Michael White Redings Mill Deputy Chief.
Later in the day, because it's dryer, but recently during the early morning hours the humidity level is between 20 and 30%. That means grass is hot and dry 3 hours after the sun rises.
"Certainly with the conditions we have we're at an elevated risk of fires," states Deputy Chief White.
A Redings Mill Firefighter shot off a Roman Candle toward a grass field just to show the extreme drought conditions and fire danger. Deputy Fire Chief Michael White says to stay away from setting off fireworks in grassy areas, even your back yard.
"It's very hard to put it out when we're looking at those types of fires. Often times we have to spend more time putting those fires out because the flames just stick with us a little bit longer," says White.
Last year in the Redings Mill District, there was a spike of almost 40% in grass fires just from June to July. 11 of the 23 grass fires in July happened over the 4th of July weekend.
"The ability to start fires in the wild and yards right now is very critical," states White.
Chief White also recommends acoiding rockets like Roman Candles.
"Aerials you can't control where they go and they may go to a neighbor's yard to a field, so use the smaller fireworks this year. I think you'll stay a lot safer that way.'
Chief White says always keep a hose handy just in case a fire sparks and call 911 when you feel a fire is getting out of control.
"Fires would start easier later in the day be we ignited a fire in just seconds," states Michael White Redings Mill Deputy Chief.
Later in the day, because it's dryer, but recently during the early morning hours the humidity level is between 20 and 30%. That means grass is hot and dry 3 hours after the sun rises.
"Certainly with the conditions we have we're at an elevated risk of fires," states Deputy Chief White.
A Redings Mill Firefighter shot off a Roman Candle toward a grass field just to show the extreme drought conditions and fire danger. Deputy Fire Chief Michael White says to stay away from setting off fireworks in grassy areas, even your back yard.
"It's very hard to put it out when we're looking at those types of fires. Often times we have to spend more time putting those fires out because the flames just stick with us a little bit longer," says White.
Last year in the Redings Mill District, there was a spike of almost 40% in grass fires just from June to July. 11 of the 23 grass fires in July happened over the 4th of July weekend.
"The ability to start fires in the wild and yards right now is very critical," states White.
Chief White also recommends acoiding rockets like Roman Candles.
"Aerials you can't control where they go and they may go to a neighbor's yard to a field, so use the smaller fireworks this year. I think you'll stay a lot safer that way.'
Chief White says always keep a hose handy just in case a fire sparks and call 911 when you feel a fire is getting out of control.
