Two commercial fireworks displays are scheduled to take place in the county. The first is scheduled for Saturday at First Church of God on Colby Road, and the second is scheduled for July 3 at Lykins Park.
Branham and commissioners said they had all fielded calls from residents concerned about remnants of fireworks falling in their yards that could potentially cause fire. They all agreed that public safety was the most important factor in the fireworks ban decision.
“And if we don’t do something, and then we do have a lot of fires, we only have a certain amount of personnel and volunteers to cover this whole county,” said County Commissioner JoEllen Reed. “That’s an extreme concern.”
Wednesday afternoon the National Weather Service in Louisville issued a red flag warning for all of southern Indiana and central Kentucky today. A red flag warning means that critical fire weather conditions are either occurring now or will shortly.
“Strong upper level ridging over the next few days will create a very hot and dry environment over southern Indiana and central Kentucky,” the website states. “Drought conditions over the area have already brought small fuel moisture levels to critical thresholds. ... All of these conditions will pose an enhanced danger of wildland fires Thursday afternoon and evening.”
The warning is in effect from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. today.
Branham met with the July 4 Celebration Committee Monday to discuss the possible fireworks ban. He said members of the committee were receptive and understood the safety concerns.
“Our main concern has got to be public safety — property and lives,” Branham said. “We don’t want to be the Grinches of July the 4th, but we certainly don’t want to cause some kind of devastating occurrence ... or event.”
Branham said the topic of banning fireworks because of weather conditions has been a constant subject among the Kentucky County Judge/Executive Association. He said numerous counties have already issued fireworks bans, including Webster and Warren, and McCracken County is considering one.
Contact Katie Perkowski at kperkowski@winchestersun.com or follow her on Twitter, @TheSunKatie.
