No boom: Arizona’s statewide ban on fireworks resumes Friday
Jul 6, 2017, 2:10 PM | Updated: Jul 7, 2017, 11:19 am
(Public Domain Photo)
(Public Domain Photo)
PHOENIX — The Fourth of July has come to a close and Arizona officials have a message for those still hanging on to a few fireworks: Use them or lose them.
Arizona’s ban on firework usage was scheduled to resume Friday. Anyone with leftovers from the holiday weekend were encouraged to get rid of them Thursday.
“July 6 for us was a date where we said, ‘It’s a couple days after. If you had a few left over, you’re OK, we will give you a little grace period,'” Phoenix Fire Capt. Rob McDade said. “After July 6, it’s just too dangerous.”
McDade said the summer heat combined with the expected monsoon season winds was too dangerous a combination for recreational fireworks.
For those who don’t want to shoot off their remaining fireworks, McDade said they can be turned in.
“We have 58 fire stations in the city of Phoenix that you can drop them off at,” he said. “Knock right on the front door or, if the bay door is open, bring them right on in and we will dispose of them in the correct way.”
Officials take the ban seriously. Violators could be hit with a fine or time behind bars outside of the permitted dates.
“The fine is $1,000 or six months in jail if you are lighting them off,” McDade said.
Fireworks will next be sold on Dec. 10. They can be used between Dec. 24 and Jan. 3.
KTAR News’ Tom Perumean contributed to this report.
