Governor Calls for Ban on Personal Fireworks

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Governor Huntsman is calling on cities and counties statewide to ban personal fireworks for the July 24th holiday due to dry conditions and record wildfires. Salt Lake City Mayor's spokesman Patrick Thronson says the Capital City may comply:

"We'll give the Governor's proposal consideration and take it very seriously," says Thronson. "We know fires have caused a lot of damage in the last few months and we certainly want to do whatever we can to help minimize that."

Thronson says the fireworks ban may require a special meeting of the city council or an executive order by the mayor to be in effect by the July 24th holiday. The majority of Salt Lake City Council members say they would support the ban.

This week marks the beginning of Utah's official fire season, but the state has already lost more than 600-thousand acres of wildland to fire. According to the Utah Division of Air Quality, private fireworks also cause a dangerous spike in air pollution that makes it difficult for people to breathe.

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