No fireworks for 4th of July?!?!?
source: http://www.cnn.com/2008/US/07/03/fireworks.woes.ap/index.html?iref=24hours
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- SilenceNoMore
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Those seeking the oohs and aahs of traditional Fourth of July fireworks could be sadly disappointed this year: Public displays and sales of boxed firecrackers are being canceled or scaled back across the nation, victims of a sluggish economy, wildfire fears and product shortages caused by a warehouse fire in China.
With Northern California already battling a string of wildfires, fire officials in Scotts Valley, south of San Jose, concluded that going ahead with the annual show would send the wrong message when residents have been asked to refrain from setting off even tiny sparklers in their backyards.
Fire Chief Mike McMurry, who has worked in Scotts Valley for 31 years, could not recall another time when dry weather snuffed out the show. "It's all about the severity of the conditions right now," he said.
Aside from the fire danger, local governments are also short of money because of the slumping economy. Fireworks supplies are petering out, too, because China is running short of ports from which to ship the dangerous cargoes abroad.
In Texas, four parched counties obtained emergency declarations prohibiting the sale of personal fireworks. In Massachusetts, several towns said fewer donations from corporate sponsors made it too expensive to mount local celebrations.
The average aerial display lasts about 15 minutes and costs $10,000. Larger cities spend about $100,000 for bigger shows.
With Northern California already battling a string of wildfires, fire officials in Scotts Valley, south of San Jose, concluded that going ahead with the annual show would send the wrong message when residents have been asked to refrain from setting off even tiny sparklers in their backyards.
Fire Chief Mike McMurry, who has worked in Scotts Valley for 31 years, could not recall another time when dry weather snuffed out the show. "It's all about the severity of the conditions right now," he said.
Aside from the fire danger, local governments are also short of money because of the slumping economy. Fireworks supplies are petering out, too, because China is running short of ports from which to ship the dangerous cargoes abroad.
In Texas, four parched counties obtained emergency declarations prohibiting the sale of personal fireworks. In Massachusetts, several towns said fewer donations from corporate sponsors made it too expensive to mount local celebrations.
The average aerial display lasts about 15 minutes and costs $10,000. Larger cities spend about $100,000 for bigger shows.
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AutifK
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Sorry, I hope no one takes offense to this, but I am kind of glad fireworks are being restricted. I am glad only because when all those fireworks go off on July 4th, it is pretty bad for the environment (Yes yes... I know they are pretty, but environment holds a greater concern to me than pretty) So yea, sorry if everyone doesn't get to see as much pretty, but yay for the environment... :-)... Excuse me for my lameness :-X :-/
- 3 years ago
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AutifK
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unclepete
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AutifK:
I concur
- 3 years ago
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unclepete
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