A statewide burning ban shouldn’t prevent professionally managed fireworks displays from occurring during the Fourth of July holiday weekend, according to a Beaufort County official.
John Pack, Beaufort County’s emergency-management director, said fireworks displays by properly trained and certified pyrotechnics professionals are allowed during a burning ban. The fireworks shows scheduled for Washington and Belhaven fall into that category, Pack said.
“It’s the home-type stuff” that can create problems, Pack said Wednesday.
Anyone using fireworks — at home or somewhere else — that start a fire that damages property is liable for that damage, Pack said.
“We prefer that people go to the public shows rather than using fireworks at home,” said Brian Haines, a spokesman for the N.C. Division of Forest Resources, on Wednesday.
Last week, the state issued a burning ban for 27 counties, including Beaufort County, in eastern North Carolina. State authorities say the open burning ban is necessary because of drought conditions and an increase in wildfire activity in coastal North Carolina.
Last week, the ban caused the cancellation of the weekly fireworks show in Carolina Beach. This week, the town worked with the New Hanover County fire marshal and firefighters to make necessary safety preparations so two fireworks shows scheduled for this week could take place.
The Division of Forest Resources reminds people to use fireworks responsibly during the Fourth of July holiday, especially during a drought when forests are drier and more susceptible to wildfires.
“Many of the wildfires that occur during this time of the year are from the careless use of popular Fourth of July fireworks such as sparklers, fountains, glow worms, smoke devices, trick noisemakers and other Class C fireworks,” reads a news release issued by the division. “Officials with the Division of Forest Resources encourage people to celebrate by viewing public fireworks displays rather than taking the risk of setting wildfires with their own fireworks.”
For those who choose to take the risk of using fireworks, the division suggests these simple ways to help keep the holiday safe:
• Don’t use fireworks such as ground spinners, firecrackers, round spinners, Roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars, which are not legal in North Carolina.
• Do not use fireworks near woods or any combustible material.
• Make sure fireworks are always used with adult supervision.
• Follow the instructions provided with the fireworks.
• Do not use under the influence of alcohol.
• Always use in a large open, preferably paved, area or near a body of water.
• Have a rake or shovel as well as bucket or two of water ready.
• Monitor the area for several hours after using fireworks.