Foresters warn of fireworks dangers

Independence Day festivities can quickly turn to disaster when it comes to fires, foresters say.

Fireworks, which are illegal for private use throughout Nevada, can be a contributor to wildland and structure fires during the hot, dry summer months, said Steve Frady, Nevada Division of Forestry enforcement officer.

He said after last year's record 1.8 million-acre loss, foresters are trying to warn people ahead of time.

"It gets so dry during the summer that one spark will get it going," he said. "The heat of the flames can get as hot as 1,200 to 2,000 degrees when the grasses are burning.

"In comparison, a match head has an ignition temperature of 325 degrees."

Frady said firefighters from county, state and federal agencies have to be on the alert for Fourth of July festivities. Often people bring illegal fireworks in from out of state.

A person who starts a fire through negligence is held liable through state law. Most of the time, that person will have to reimburse fire agencies for time and cost. In the case of property damage, negligence can even bring the cost of replacing burned structures.

"Someone will spend $130 on a box of fireworks and then they will have to spend thousands more on the cost of the fire." Frady said.

When children are blamed for a fire, their parents can be held liable.

Frady recommends taking advantage of authorized fireworks performances instead. Along with fire prevention, authorized shows are also much safer, he said.

"You can damage fingers, hands, eyes, your head," he said. "Reports of lost eyes and fingers always come around the Fourth."

He noted an emergency-room study showing that 35 percent of fireworks injuries were to the hands, 22 percent to the eyes, and 20 percent to the face, head or neck.

The ability for a quick response and initial attack of wild fires is great in Nevada, Frady said. "Our philosophy is to get on fires early and get them under control, but once they get out of hand it becomes much more difficult.

"If fires break out in other areas, personnel may be thin; otherwise, we can pull resources from other states"

Forestry officials will try their hardest to bring voluntary compliance with fireworks laws "but we will not hesitate to hand out citations," Frady said.

Western Nevada July 4 Fireworks shows

Carson City - Fireworks show and carnival in Mills Park

Lake Tahoe - Lights on the Lake 2000

Reno - Skyfire at Rancho San Rafael Park