Usually on the Fourth of July the sky lights up with quick flashes and pops echo across the landscape. Normally quiet and peaceful neighborhoods here in Elkhart County can often sound like a scene right out of “Saving Private Ryan.”
Not this year. An unusually dry and hot spring has now extended into summer and has essentially closed the damper on the routine pastime of shooting off fireworks in celebration of our nation’s independence from the British some 236 years ago yesterday. As a result of the dry weather, conditions for such celebrations have become increasingly dangerous.
Last week during a special meeting, Elkhart County commissioners declared a state of emergency and banned unpermitted use of fireworks. Even after a couple rogue thunderstorms briefly doused the area, conditions remain dry and the commissioners decided wisely on Monday to keep the fireworks ban in effect through July 10.
Elkhart County, which is also under a burn ban, isn’t alone in this minor dilemma. A total of 83 of Indiana’s 92 counties are currently under burn bans. Of those 83 counties, 23 have also declared state of emergency bans on unpermitted fireworks.
We urge all Elkhart County residents to take both of these bans seriously. We look west and see what is happening in Colorado and marvel at the power of controlled fire and how it can so easily uproot, or even take, lives. Yes, such a prospect seems dramatic and we can hear people saying, “That could never happen here.” Maybe not, but why play with fire? Are personal fireworks that essential to this holiday that we would willingly jeopardize the safety of our community?
We have no doubt some people aren’t taking this ban seriously. We know because we’ve heard it in the sky and through police scanner traffic that has been active the past few days with neighbors alerting authorities of fireworks activity.
Even permitted fireworks shows have been cancelled because of the dry conditions. As much as we enjoy watching the patriotic “Celebrate America” program each year at Black Squirrel Golf Course, we believe that organizers did the right thing by pulling the plug on this year’s show.
There is nothing in the Declaration of Independence that claims we are obligated to shoot off fireworks to celebrate the birth of this nation. The Fourth of July holiday is about so much more than explosions. Please, let’s all continue to obey the ban.
Opinion
Related Photos
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County commissioners, left to right, Mike Yoder, Terry Rodina and Frank Lucchase recently discuss banning all private fireworks displays due to the ongoing drought. The commission passed a ban that will be in place through July 10. SAM HOUSEHOLDER | The Goshen News
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