Record Heat Leading To Fireworks Moratorium
by June 26, 2012 10:42 pm 134 views
Record heat and lack of rainfall is cooling fireworks sales heading into the Fourth of July holiday.
Dustin Barnes with our content partner, Fox 16 News, reports on the city of Benton's decision to shut down fireworks vendors when a burn ban is in place.
Saline County is one of 50 Arkansas counties under a burn ban as 100 degree temperatures scalded the state.
Barnes interviews fireworks stand owner Stefan Jones:
“It's a bummer. We're pretty sad about it because we really look forward to it. It's fun for us to do it,” Jones said.
Even though Jones purchased a business permit, she can't sell because of a Benton city ordinance that requires fireworks vendors to shut down when a burn
ban is in place.
For her, it's a summer tradition now interrupted.
“It makes total sense. I don't want to sell to kids and get them all excited about shooting them off just for the burn ban to continue and they not be able to shoot them,” said Jones.
“Mother Nature is in control of what goes on and we have to abide by the rules and that's what we have to do,” Benton Mayor David Mattingly said.
Read more and watch a video report at this link.