How fireworks are impacting dry grounds and high temps

MARTINEZ, G.A. (WJBF)- While fireworks are a fun way to show celebration, it could get dangerous especially in the dry heat and high temperatures. If not handled correctly, they could cause a fire.

Drier weather can mean danger if you’re not careful when shooting off fireworks. Some residential areas throughout the CSRA have experienced fires this Fourth of July.

“If he had not have seen it, my neighbor’s house would not be here today…,” Ronnie Brown, who lives in the area, said.

It’s a concern many have had surrounding the Fourth of July holiday.

“Fireworks are nice, we all love ‘em, but we all just need to be very careful because it takes just one little spark…,” Brown said.

And one little spark is all it took for fires to start just behind brown’s backyard. Those fires, Jeremiah Johnson– Brown’s nephew– was able to tame, only to find them climbing trees in their neighbor’s yard.

“It was about five little spots and when he turned around, he looked, the neighbor’s whole backyard was on fire. That’s when he really got kind of nervous and I, at that time, called him again to see if everything was okay and I called my daughter, she called 9-1-1, the fire department came and luckily, we were able to get it out,” Brown said.

The Columbia County Fire Operations Chief Danny Kuhlmann says this is typical for this time of year.

“We responded to 21 brush fires last night, alone. And everything is just so dry, there’s no moisture in the ground whatsoever, and all the grass is drying. So, any little sparker– even a little piece of glass out there with the sunrays running through it– can start a fire.”

Chief Kuhlmann also says there are things you can do to reduce fires.

“You know everybody is gonna be out there firing off fireworks, so watering your grass that evening just before fireworks start will keep your yard from catching fire.”

Neighbors also suggest being mindful of where you’re shooting off fireworks if you plan to the rest of the weekend.

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