Let’s keep this 4th of July from going up in flames

The ongoing drought throughout the Western US has caused officials to set fire bans, prohibiting the use of fireworks for this weekend's festivities. | SweetwaterNOW photo.

Here are two things that don’t couple well for this weekend's holiday celebrations: fire hazards and fourth of July fireworks. We’ve seen the news about the concerning heat waves throughout the PNW and ongoing drought problems in the West, so there’s no turning a blind eye when it comes to lighting up some roman candles to pay tribute to Independence Day. As fun as it may sound, the consequences are just too severe. 

On the US Wildfire Public Information Map, you can see more than 300,000 acres currently affected by wildfires, most all located in the Western US. On top of that scary statistic, the NFPA claims that 19,500 fires were started by fireworks in the year 2018 alone. In hopes of avoiding wildfire threats here in the Tetons, Stage 1 fire restrictions were set in place this week for Bridger-Teton National Forest, Grand Teton National Park, and National Elk Refuge. So folks, exchange those fireworks for glow sticks this year, don’t leave any fire unattended, play it safe, and let’s all celebrate in style.