By Elizabeth Watts
Fires are not uncommon in hot, dry summer months all over the United States. One reason fires start and spread so quickly is fireworks.
Fires can be started all year, but 'there are more fires in the summer months because it is dry and grass fires can start easily,' said Provo firefighter Scott Anderson.
Exciting and appealing, fireworks often became a family holiday affair, but the pyrotechnics can also be the cause of life-threatening property damaging blazes as well.
During his last shift, Anderson responded to three fires. Fireworks were the suspected culprit in two of the fires.
Anderson said many of the fires he has seen were started from bottle rockets, including one of the fires from his last shift. Bottle rockets start many of the fires since they are shot into the air and people lose track of where the rockets land, he said. Fireworks that fly over 15 feet are banned by state law for this reason.
Groundbloom flowers, a popular pyrotechnic advice, are another firework Anderson said he has seen start a lot of fires. Children alter the flowers causing a more dangerous explosion and less protection for those around them.
The fires can be 'anywhere from a tenth of an acre to acres or burn up a whole mountain,' Anderson said.
Anderson said when avoiding fires, 'use common sense, don''t use any fireworks that are illegal and be careful.'
At his home in New Mexico, BYU student Adam Daniel said they always have fireworks around.
'Fireworks are a fun way to celebrate and a big tradition in my family,' Daniel said. 'I love fireworks with lots of color and sparks.'
Daniel has many memories of lighting fireworks, but also of the safety precautions his family took.
'We were always prepared and had a hose nearby,' Daniel said.
Salt Lake City resident Sally Vance remembers lighting fireworks with her two sons when they were small and a fire they almost started with sparklers. One of the sparklers they lit ignited grass on the other side of a fence.
'It could have resulted in a big fire,' Vance said.
She had to jump over the fence and stomp out the fire with her feet.
'In Utah, if you are around something flammable, it could start a fire,' said Floyd Tippetts, a firework vendor.
The legal age to purchase fireworks in the state is 16. Tippetts said he would never allow children under 16 years old to start fireworks. Everyone should to check to make sure all the fireworks they are using are safe, he added.
Sparklers were one firework he thought was hazardous because the metal sticks get so hot.
Many children play with the sparklers, but 'they don''t realize the fire hazard,' Tippetts said.