Fire Officials Urge Caution With Fireworks, Sparklers

While legal fireworks and sparklers are a popular part of July 4th celebrations, in most areas of Virginia they could become a cause of wildfires this year.

Because of a lack of significant rain in many areas during the month of June, some grasses and trees are dry -- leaving them more vulnerable to catching fire from wayward fireworks and sparklers.

“One spark is all it would take for a wildfire to start,” said Fred Turck, assistant director for wildfire prevention and education with the Virginia Department of Forestry (VDOF). “Fireworks that have finished burning are still extremely hot, and they can smolder in dry grass or leaves before a fire ignites.” Turck recommends keeping a bucket of water, wet towel, and a fully-charged garden hose nearby.

Because many types of fireworks (including firecrackers, bottle rockets, skyrockets, torpedoes, and other fireworks that explode, travel laterally, rise into the air, or fire projectiles into the air) are illegal in Virginia, a good alternative to personal fireworks are the community displays put on in cities and towns across the Commonwealth. Check your local news source for information on times and locations.

Additional information on fire safety and state burning laws can be found on the VDOF Web site, www.dof.virginia.gov.

Remember… “Only you can help Smokey Bear prevent forest fires.”

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The Virginia Department of Forestry protects and develops healthy, sustainable forest resources for Virginians. Headquartered in Charlottesville, the Agency has forestry staff members assigned to every county to provide service to citizens of the Commonwealth. VDOF is an equal opportunity provider.

With nearly 16 million acres of forest land and more than 144,000 Virginians employed in forestry, forest products and related industries, Virginia forests provide more than $27.5 Billion annually in benefits to the Commonwealth.