“Pretty much fireworks are illegal in the state of Minnesota,” said SBM Fire Chief Dan Retka.
Combine a drought with the July 4th holiday and you get the perfect storm for fire risk. However, that doesn’t stop people from getting fireworks. Some North Metro residents make the quick trip to Wisconsin where they are legal and in abundance.
“You can go across the border and buy fireworks,” Retka said. “They’re open. I just came across the border, the firework stores are going crazy right now.”
“Be safe”
Retka concedes that people are gonna ignore the law and get their own fireworks – despite the potential repercussions.
Said Retka: “They are incredibly dangerous.”
He just hopes they use common sense.
“We know it’s going to happen,” Retka said. “If you are shooting off fireworks let’s be safe about it. Watch your alcohol consumption.”
Retka describes this time of year as, “silly season.”
“Let’s face it, the 4th of July tends to bring out some cocktails and things like that,” Retka said. “People sometimes are a little bit impaired and just want to have a good time and tend to get a little bit reckless.
Parents need to be extra cautious.
“By all means.” Retka said. “Don’t let children play with them.”
Busy period
The July 4th holiday is typically a busy period for SBM.
“Our calls tend to go way up with fireworks calls, grass fires, medicals, things like that,” Retka said.
This year, Retka is more concerned than usual. Mixing a drought with pyrotechnics increases the fire potential.
“We are extremely dry,” Retka said. “Almost red flag warnings.”
That’s why being smart and safe is paramount.
“All it takes is a little spark,” Retka said. “You light off a bottle rocket or a roman candle and that thing comes down in the woods or a grassy area, you can’t control that. Now you’re putting my responders, you’re putting other firefighters at risk…Just in our district a few years ago we had someone lighting off fireworks. Set the neighbors house on fire. You don’t know where those fireworks are going to go.”
Even sparklers can be problematic. If you use those be careful and dispose of them properly by tossing the sparklers in a fire pit or use water to put them out.
