Fire chief: Forget using fireworks

ADA TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) - The hot, dry weather has several area fire departments worried over the use of fireworks this 4th of July.

Ada Township firefighters said they have already answered one call of a small field on fire because of fireworks, so they want to warn the public about the growing risk of using fireworks.

"It's extremely dry and the humidity is low," said Chief Jim Duvall with the Ada Township Fire Department. "We understand it's the first year of the new law and people have bought a lot of fireworks, but the potential for some sort of devastating fire is certainly there now."

Duvall said he knows it's asking a lot, but wants people to forget about using their fireworks this 4th of July. He wants them to save them for a safer time when there's been more rain.

The fire danger is so bad, Ada Township and other communities such as Battle Creek and Grand Rapids, won't even issue a burning permit right now.

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The new state law that allows people to supersize the fireworks they buy in Michigan this year, also protects their use during holidays and the two days on either side of those holidays. But it left cities trying to figure out what they can do to protect the public.

"That makes it very difficult in my view for local cities to use its existing noise ordinance just for the sound of exploding fireworks on holiday dates," said Grand Rapids City Attorney Catherine Mish.

But even the state law doesn't make it a free for all. It carries its own restrictions about where people are able to light off fireworks.

"On holiday dates only the state law would control and under the state law there are use restrictions," said Mish. "It would be a violation of state law for example to discharge fireworks on church property, school property, public property or private property without the express permission of the owner."

Also, it's a violation of state law to discharge fireworks under the influence of alcohol.

The new fireworks ordinance takes effect in Grand Rapids on July 1. It bans the use of fireworks except on the 30 days allowed under state law.

For a complete list of West Michigan fireworks ordinances, click here .