Kicking Off 2024 with a Warning for Southern Utah Fire Safety

The holidays are over and 2024 is no longer a distant dream. It’s here, it’s fresh, and it has some new worries that tend to appear at the beginning of any new year.

Fires. Lots and lots of fires. This may seem like common knowledge to many Southern Utah residents, but Washington County loves to celebrate the new year with plenty of fireworks and other such pyrotechnics.

While this is all well and good, it’s only good if the proper precautions are taken when setting off and cleaning up the fireworks.

If firework debris isn’t fully extinguished before being disposed of, it can lead to serious consequences in the form of fires.

This may have been the case during this year’s (or last year’s depending on how you look at it) New Year’s festivities.

Multiple brush fires were reported during the holiday weekend, and while the cause of these fires have not been confirmed, some have speculated that firework debris was a factor in starting the flames.

It makes sense on paper since fires are rampant during legal firework days in Southern Utah, and the dry vegetation doesn’t help the matter much either.

Even if you dispose of your fireworks in the trash after semi-extinguishing the possible fire starters, it could start a fire in the garbage truck that comes to the curb to pick up the waste (a regular occurrence for 2023).

If you still haven’t thrown away your used fireworks, do your best to drown the leftover debris in water before doing so. It saves lives, nature, and most likely your conscience.

The Classic 'Must-Have' Fireworks From My Childhood

Believe it or not, I was never a huge fireworks' fan growing up. In fact, I was terrified of them. I liked watching all the different colors light up the sky, however, I was (and to some degree still am) sensitive to the loud noises and big booms. Sometimes I would have to watch fireworks displays from my car. It really became that much of an issue for me.

Now that I am much older, I have overcome my most of fears and enjoy viewing fireworks shoes with my family and friends. Prior to the main event, I light up sparklers and other, smaller fireworks with them to get excited for the rest of the evening's festivities.

I recently looked back at some photos and videos from past 4th of July celebrations that I've experienced. So many great memories were created during these times.

Here are some of the "must-have" fireworks we always had on hand during the 4th of July parties.

Gallery Credit: Christine Manika