As July 4th fun continues, keep fireworks safety in mind
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - Our local fire crews are on high alert amid the current drought and summer heat.
And with fireworks sure to go off throughout this weekend, there’s an even greater risk.
There were more than a dozen brush fires on Thursday that crews had to address.
North Augusta responded to five brush fires related to fireworks. Columbia County responded to 19 grass fires but isn’t sure if all of them were connected to fireworks.
On Thursday, locals celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks, but some of those fireworks had consequences.
First responders say they expect to see more fires this weekend.
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Although fireworks are fun and colorful, they can leave behind a harmful aftermath.
“The community just needs to realize how dry things are right now. It is very dangerous. Because the embers that come off of the fireworks, they’ll land into dry vegetation and things like that,” said Lieutenant Aaron Fittery with the North Augusta Department of Public Safety.
Fittery also says to take the proper precautions when disposing of fireworks.
“You want to make sure those are wet down before you try to dispose of them in any type of trash receptacle or anything like that,” he said.
If not handled properly, fireworks can also cause other damage.
John Meeks was inside his Augusta apartment on Thursday night when his truck was damaged due to fireworks.
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“Literally from a mortar round that was being hurled by individuals from one end of Broad Street to the other end of Broad Street, from about 10:30 to almost 2 o’clock in the morning,” said Meeks.
Meeks says this happens every year.
Meeks says he called the police twice and he was told fireworks were permitted.
“These aren’t firecrackers. These are mortars that are bigger than your hands, as you can see, this is two inches thick into a steel door,” he said.
He says he spoke with the mayor’s office about the situation.
“I was afraid to go out of the home, and I lived out here. I’ve lived down here for eight years, but it has definitely gotten worse and continues to get worse, and it’s insane. It’s got to stop,” said Meeks.
First responders say if you do decide to set off fireworks, make sure you have something close by that could extinguish a fire just in case.
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