Rain May Have Prevented Fireworks-Related Blazes, Ferndale Fire Marshal Says
"Had we still been dry I think we would've had multiple fires," Fire Marshal Brian Batten said of July 4. "Nothing stayed in anybody's yard."
There were no fireworks-related blazes in the city of Ferndale on July 4, and Ferndale Fire Marshal Brian Batten says the wet weather might be to thank.
Though the rain and thunderstorms didn't seem to stop residents from using fireworks, the moisture may have prevented some fires, he said.
"Had we still been dry I think we would've had multiple fires. Nothing stayed in anybody's yard," Batten said, noting that he observed some residents near the fire station letting off multiple fireworks that left the resident's yard and went "clear across the street."
This was a concern for fire department officials leading up to the holiday, as a new state law allows larger fireworks to be sold and used in the state.
"The wet weather kind of helped keep fires down," Batten said.
But the fireworks activity should be over now - at least until Labor Day. The city passed a resolution earlier this year restricting fireworks use to only the days already allowed by state law - the day before, the day of and the day after a federal holiday.
Read more about the new fireworks law here. You can also chime in with your thoughts on the law change.
Steven Kuzmanovich
8:53 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
You just cant fix stupid.
These are probably the same inividuals who were lighting roman candles back in 2003 when we had the big blackout, and no water pressure in the mains for firefighting.
What were they thinking when these idiots in Lansing relaxed the fireworks law???
Thomas Gagne
9:13 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
They were thinking they'd rather the tax revenue stays in Michigan than Indiana. Fireworks are taxed at 12%.
Ryan Meray
12:21 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
Pop quiz, Mr. Gagne. And no cheating with Google to look this up:
What happens with the sales tax revenue from the sales of fireworks?
Jim Routhier
9:17 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
Anything for a dollar, is that it Mr. Gagne?
T. Scott Galloway
10:58 am on Friday, July 6, 2012
The State takes the tax revenue from sales, fails to fully fund revenue sharing with cities but allows the cities to cover the costs created by the increased use of fireworks. Typical Republican approach to balancing the State's budget.
Ryan Meray
12:18 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
This site needs a "Like" or "+1" button for posts like this.
Gary F.
1:35 pm on Friday, July 6, 2012
The people that complain about the loud fireworks are the same ones that hate loud music, cars that drive too fast and kids with saggy pants. Let the pyros have fun and if they blow themselves up then its just thinning of the herd. Its only a few hours a few days of the year i think we can handle the temporary intrusion.
Ryan Meray
12:01 pm on Saturday, July 7, 2012
If the pyros were only hurting themselves, it'd be one thing. Unfortunately, these idiots also cause property damage, hurt bystanders, and can cause their families suffering if their own injuries lead them to huge medical bills or disability. This is not a closed system.
Ardy
11:43 am on Saturday, July 7, 2012
"The people that complain about the loud fireworks are the same ones that hate loud music, cars that drive too fast and kids with saggy pants. "
I've played music for well over 25 years; I'm a drummer at that. I hate the fireworks set off by the people around me. Trouble is; these folks don't know what they are doing; therefore, their ignorance could be a fatality in my family. The City of Ferndale needs to act now and pass an ordinance stating that fireworks can only be set off on private property, may not stray across property lines, are not to be set off during a fire ban and will be not lit after 11:00 pm.
Here's another idea; if the State wants to do a money grab and not share that cash with the Cities they are purposefully underfunding then the City of Ferndale should make it illegal to light off fireworks within the City boundary unless you have a certification from the City, take a test and pay a fee of $50.00. On this certification, the applicant must check a box that states that he/she understand the risks of setting off fireworks and will be responsible for all costs associated with their actions. That would mean that if their firework/s damage property, they are responsible and must pay the costs; whether it be the deductible on property damage or full reimbursement of rebuilding the damaged structure. I had 17 pieces of fireworks either hit my house or land on my property. Good thing we had rain.