Fireworks Ban Critical This Year

This is the time of year Americans like to celebrate their independence with the launching of fireworks –and here in Wyoming, they are readily available in the counties that surround Teton County.  However, on all the federal lands within the county and in Teton County itself, there is a ban on the discharge of fireworks at any time.  Beyond that, Teton County Fire Marshal Kathy Clay notes that this year, it simply makes sense not to shoot off personal fireworks.  Clay says she doubts people are aware of just how dry it is in the Parks, Forest and throughout the county.  Clay says so far, we have not seen the fires other parts of the west have seen, but we are starting to see other complications.  As the fire conditions become increasingly severe, Clay says our local resources are going to be very taxed.  She says it appears we have a very long summer in front of us this year. Clay adds that every day that goes by with warm temperatures and winds and no appreciable rainfall it compounds the building fire danger and extreme fire behavior.