Fireworks use OK in some areas, not all

• By DEBRA LEMOINE
• Advocate Florida parishes bureau
• Published: Jul 1, 2009 - Page: 1B

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HAMMOND — Even with a statewide burn ban in place, residents in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes will be able to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks where they are legal.

“No, it does not apply to fireworks,” said State Fire Marshal Butch Browning about the statewide burn ban.

The ban was issued because trash fires were getting out of control, and the private burning ban has reduced the number of fires seen statewide, Browning said.

“The fires were set and left untended,” he said. “They got out of control very quickly.”

As a result of the recent rains, Browning said, he will re-evaluate the ban in a couple of weeks to determine whether it should remain in place or be lifted.

In the meantime, he asks celebrants to use common sense. Don’t pop firecrackers in the grass or near structures and opt for cement areas instead, he said.

Or, go to a public fireworks display, Browning said.

June has been a busy wildfire month in Louisiana because of the hot, dry conditions, but recent rains are improving conditions in the Florida Parishes, State Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain said.

There have been 173 wildfires statewide June 1 through Monday, said Laura Lindsay, state agriculture department spokeswoman. Last June, there were 95 fires.

Placing restrictions on fireworks has been discussed, but there are no plans to put any in place for this upcoming July 4th weekend in Livingston Parish, said Brian Fairburn, director of the Livingston Parish Office of Emergency Preparedness.

“We had talked about it, and we’ve also gotten some rain in some areas of the parish. For now, we’re going to let the state (ban) stand.”

Tangipahoa Parish government has opted out of the state burn ban, said Jeff McKneely, parish government spokesman.

The Parish Council discussed a potential ban on private burning and fireworks last week, McKneely said. But council members decided to urge residents to use caution rather than institute any sort of ban because area fire chiefs are not seeking a ban at this time, he said.