GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ) – If you’re going camping this weekend, you might want to keep driving past the roadside fireworks stand. That’s especially important if you’re staying on state property, where fireworks are banned.
“Leave your fireworks at home,” said DNR Wildfire Prevention Specialist, Catherine Koele. “There are times of the year where fireworks would be a little bit safer. I would say when the ground is completely covered, at least from a wildfire prevention standpoint.”
But right now, some areas of the state are covered in dry brush and grass. Those surroundings don’t mix well with even the smallest of sparks.
“We have been fortunate to get a little bit more rain recently, but things are drying out as we head into the weekend. So certainly, wildfires are a concern,” Koele told WTAQ News. “They account for about five-percent of our wildfires every year. So they’re pretty minimal. But they do tend to spike around the 4th of July.”
Even if you’re not staying on state property, and you decide to handle fireworks on your own – Koele reminds people to be cautious.
“A sparkler can start a wildfire, as innocent as they are. Dry grasses and using those, under the right conditions and with the right wind, can easily get out of control,” Koele said. “Always have a water source handy and try to use them on concrete or gravel, versus grassy areas.”
