Drought, potential for wild fire cited

Peachtree City fire officials are asking residents to forego the use of personal fireworks this July 4th in light of the ongoing drought.

The city’s annual fireworks display over Lake Peachtree is still on, however, and residents are encouraged to attend that event instead of lighting their own fireworks. Any stray spark from fireworks has the potential to cause a significant fire, officials have said.

Acting Fire Chief Ed Eiswerth noted that the entire state has been in a drought since early spring, and the wild fires in south Georgia are still ongoing.

“The dry conditions affect trees, shrubs, plants and landscaping beds all around residential structures,” Eiswerth said. “This year’s drought conditions make any accidents and potential damage to homes even greater.”

Fireworks also have the potential to cause injury or death, as many can reach temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, officials said.

“Safe and sane fireworks don’t exist,” according to Dr. John Hall of the National Fire Protection Association. “When things go wrong with fireworks, they go very wrong, very fast.”

Fires related to fireworks typically cause $20 million in property loss each year, according to the NFPA.