Mishap at Fort Stewart fireworks show

A fireworks show at Fort Stewart did not go smoothly last night. The Savannah Morning News reports that just after the show began at 9pm, a spectator said one of the fireworks went misdirected into a batch of fireworks waiting to be lit, exploding some of those fireworks. Emergency radio traffic indicated medical and firefighter personnel rushed to the scene. A Fort Stewart spokesman said one spectator was injured and taken to a nearby hospital in Hinesville. Another spectator was treated and released at the scene.

State issues July 4th fireworks caution

Georgia’s drought makes it vulnerable to fires. So fire officials are urging Georgians to watch public fireworks shows on July Fourth, instead of using fireworks at home. Most fireworks are illegal in Georgia anyway. Last year the legislature legalized sparklers and other fireworks that don’t shoot into the air. Anyone may possess them, but the buyer must be at least 18 years old.

North Georgia county cancels fireworks

Drought has led another Georgia community to scrap plans for Fourth of July fireworks. Woodstock in Cherokee County north of Atlanta says many homeowners wrote letters voicing concerns over brush fires. Ware County in southeast Georgia has also banned fireworks through the Fourth of July.

Fireworks ban in northwest Georgia city

Another Georgia city will institute a ban on fireworks today, with another possibly to follow. The city of Cartersville, east of Rome, will have their ban in place starting at midnight tonight within the city limits. The ban includes all commercial and public use of fireworks. It will stay in place until the designation of the extreme drought warning is lifted by the National Weather Service.

The city of Roswell in metro Atlanta might put a ban in place later today. Fire officials will give their recommendation to the mayor and City Council this evening. On Friday, Roswell fire officials tested some fireworks to determine its' effect on the grass. At issue is the city's July 4th fireworks display.

State officials: Please give up fireworks

The Georgia Forestry Commission is urging the state's residents to be extra cautious outdoors this holiday weekend. With the extreme drought conditions throughout Georgia, items such as barbeque grills and fireworks pose a high fire danger. Southeast Georgia has been battling wildfires for weeks--the Ware County Commission today is expected to vote on a 60-day ban of fireworks in that area. Officials would like all Georgians to forgo the use of fireworks for the foreseeable future.