Fireworks banned due to heat in parts of western US

The U.S. has long prized personal rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of sparkly stuff to set on fire come the Fourth of July. But this year,  fire  chiefs in some cities across the West Coast are saying no to fireworks. Excessively hot and dry conditions plus amateur pyrotechnics equals a terrifying  wildfire  season for western states. Fireworks have started major wildfires in the past, including the 2017 Eagle Creek fire outside Portland, which was started by a 15-year-old boy and burned 50,000 acres. A 2020 gender reveal party in California started a wildfire that killed a firefighter. Related: Wildfires have burned 2.3M acres across California this year Portland , Oregon, broke heat records last Monday with a sizzling 116 degrees. In response, the Portland Fire Department has prohibited all fireworks until further notice. Fire departments in nearby Tualatin, Oregon, have banned fireworks through July 9. “If we don’t take this proactive step now, I fear the consequences could be devastating,” said Portland fire chief Sara Boone in a statement. “It is not easy to make a decision like this so close to our national  holiday , but as fire chief I feel I have a higher responsibility to sometimes make unpopular decisions during unprecedented times to protect life, property and the environment.” City officials in Yreka,  California , which is only thirty miles from the currently raging Lava Fire, have also banned fireworks until further notice. Some Utah, Washington and Montana towns have banned private fireworks this year. Steamboat Springs, Colorado, canceled its official public fireworks show. Clark County, in southwest Washington state, banned the sale and use of fireworks from June 29 through midnight on the Fourth of July. “We recognize that this decision will cause some hardship to some residents’ celebration plans as well as businesses and non-profit organizations that sell fireworks,” said Eileen Quiring O’Brien, the county council chair, according to KATU. “We empathize with all who are affected, but we must follow county codes. They are in place to protect the welfare and  safety  of Clark County residents.” Via The Guardian Lead image via Pixabay

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Fireworks banned due to heat in parts of western US

Earth’s tallest building will host the world’s largest New Year’s Eve LED light show

On New Year’s Eve, Downtown Dubai will host an epic celebration , featuring fireworks, lasers, lights, and an illuminated LED screen wrapped around the sides of the world’s tallest building. The 2700-foot-tall Burj Khalifa will be transformed into a giant projection screen, where a six-part light spectacle will be projected leading up to the midnight countdown. Read the rest of Earth’s tallest building will host the world’s largest New Year’s Eve LED light show Permalink | Add to del.icio.us | digg Post tags: burj khalifa , celebration , dubai , fireworks , largest LED screen , laser show , LED screen , LED show , New Year’s Eve , party , pyrotechnics , tourism , tourists , world’s tallest building

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Earth’s tallest building will host the world’s largest New Year’s Eve LED light show

Green Fireworks for an Eco-Friendly Independence Day

Fireworks are one of the best parts of Independence Day , but with their captivating flashes of light, it’s all too easy to be blinded to the fact that they’re also explosives that spew dust, smoke, heavy metals, carbon monoxide and other toxins into the air. And it isn’t just the environment that we should be worried about.

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Green Fireworks for an Eco-Friendly Independence Day