Fire officials urging caution with Fourth of July fireworks

Burn bans remain in effect across Eastern Jackson County, the heat advisory is back, and officials are asking everyone to exercise extreme caution with fireworks during this week of Independence Day.

“It’s so dry. Pay attention to what you’re doing,” Independence Assistant Fire Chief Joe Lay said Monday.

The National Weather Service points out that Kansas City just came through the second driest April through June on record – heightening the risk of wildfires.

“Be extremely cautious with cigarettes ... matches ... (barbecue) pits ... fireworks and any other open flames or sparks,” the Weather Service office in Pleasant Hill posted in a statement Monday. “These weather conditions are favorable for rapidly spreading grass and brush fires.”

In Independence, fireworks are legal today through Thursday, and legal use of fireworks runs through Wednesday in Blue Springs. Although Independence has posted a burn ban – as have the Central Jackson County Fire Protection District for the Blue Springs and Grain Valley areas and the Fort Osage Fire Protection District for the northeast part of the county – fireworks are still legal, even though officials prefer that people leave fireworks to the professionals – as Smokey Bear tweeted Monday – and just enjoy one of the many shows planned for Wednesday evening.

“As of now, there are no plans to ban any fireworks,” Lay said.

That said, officials urge caution.

The Independence Fire Department on Monday issued a statement underlining its concerns and suggestions, echoing those of other emergency management officials. One spark, officials point out, can start a fire that puts people and property as risk. So residents are asked to do these:

• Avoid shooting fireworks in open fields and unmowed areas.
• Never shoot fireworks over homes, trees or other areas with natural ground cover.
• Have a bucket of water and water hose available nearby in case there’s a fire.
• Soak fireworks in water before disposing of them.
• If you see fireworks being used in an unsafe way, call the Fire Department.

It’s also important to know the rules:

In Independence:

• Bottle rockets and sparkler bombs are illegal. So are any fireworks that have been altered or combined. Use them the way the manufacturer intended.

• You have to be at least 16, or be supervised by a parent or guardian, to possess or set off fireworks.

• Legal hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. today, 10 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth, and 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Thursday.

• It’s illegal to set off or throw any fireworks in such a way that they will land beyond your property. It’s illegal to use them within 600 feet of a church, hospital, mental health facility or school. It’s illegal to use them within 300 feet of a gas station, a fireworks tent or a place where ignitable liquids are stored. It’s illegal to use them within 100 feet of a “designated historical structure” – of which Independence has many.

• Fireworks must be set off outdoors, not indoors. That means barns and other outbuildings, too. The wording of the city ordinance is no fireworks “within any structure.” It’s illegal to shoot or throw them from a motorized vehicle, just as it’s illegal to shoot or throw them at a motorized vehicle.

Anyone with questions is encouraged to call the Fire Department at 816-325-7123, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

In Blue Springs – where officials are stressing a “Be Legal, Think Safe and Play Smart” theme – the rules are similar:

• It’s illegal to set of fireworks in any way that they are “likely to endanger or cause injury or damage to any person or property.”

• Bottle rockets are illegal, as are “rockets of all types and size and any and all fireworks with an aerial trajectory having a cylinder or cartridge that is not intended to be completely consumed before landing.”

• Legal hours are 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and 10 a.m. to midnight Wednesday.

• It’s illegal to set off or throw any fireworks in such a way that they will land beyond your property.

The city reminds people to have an adult present when lighting fireworks, to avoid dry areas, to avoid areas with pets or other animals. Don’t carry fireworks in your pocket. If you get burned, call 911.

Blue Springs police will make extra patrols and write more tickets to make sure the city’s rules are followed. Violations are punishable by fines of $25 to $150 plus time in jail. Residents who see violations are asked to call 816-228-0151 or send a text message, with the location of the violation, to 274637.

More broadly, the Weather Service is concerned about the continued hot, dry weather. After Monday’s area highs in the mid-90s, it’s right back to the 98-100 range through the weekend. In addition, humidity in the late afternoons is expected to drop to around 30 around percent. The one thing working in the area’s favor is that winds out of the south and southwest aren’t expected to rise much above 20 mph, so no fire danger advisories have been posted yet. Like much of the state, Jackson County is in what’s being called a moderate drought. On average, Kansas City gets about 14 inches of rain in April, May and June, but just 5 1/4 inches was recorded at Kansas City International Airport.

The Weather Service has posted another heat advisory, effective from noon today through 7 p.m. Saturday, reminding people to take caution in the heat, drink plenty of water and avoid overexertion outdoors.

And no record temperatures appear likely to fall this week. The predicted highs are 100 today (the record is 103 in 1934), then 100 Wednesday (108 in 1936), 99 Thursday (104 in 1934), 99 Friday (103 in 1954), 99 Saturday (105 in 1939) and 98 Sunday (101 in 1980).