Our View: Be careful with fireworks

It’s a message that bears repeating every year: be careful with your fireworks.

With the Fourth of July holiday tomorrow, it’s inevitable that Sweetwater County residents will want to celebrate with the colorful sparks, sound and smoke most people enjoy. When used properly, fireworks can be a fun way to celebrate America’s Independence. However, there are dangers associated with their use as well. Anytime fireworks comes into play, the danger of starting a fire exists and we urge residents to follow Sweetwater County Fire Warden Mike Bournazian’s advice.

Residents should have a fire extinguisher or water hose nearby if they’re lighting fireworks. They should be aware of the surrounding area they’re in and ensure it’s clear of dry grasses and brush. People should also follow the directions for using different fireworks to ensure the risk of starting a fire is lowered.

Every year, we see evidence of people not following those simple suggestions. It isn’t uncommon for residents of Rock Springs to see a portion of White Mountain on fire. In Green River, it isn’t unusual to see an orange glow along a hilltop as a fire burns on the opposite side. What’s unfortunate is that many residents have come to expect these sights and aren’t surprised when they happen.

While many of us celebrate Independence Day with cookouts, fireworks, friends and family, firefighters in Sweetwater County are tasked with remaining vigilant throughout the day, ready to respond to a brush fire and extinguish it before it gets out of control. While firefighters at the Green River Fire Department have their own celebration as they’re waiting for the inevitable call, if people were more mindful of how they handled their fireworks, many of those firefighters would likely not need to wait for the fire call and enjoy the evening elsewhere.

We hope the Independence Day holiday doesn’t result in a busy night for Sweetwater County firefighters. We hope residents follow Bournazian’s advice and are able to deal with fires before firefighters are called to deal with them. Ultimately, we hope large swaths of land don’t get burned because of careless handling of fireworks. However, that doesn’t come down to how good firefighters are at their job. The only people who can make this happen are the residents who work to ensure that happens.