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Tahoe fires cause by consumer fireworks

Page Last Updated: Wednesday July 21, 2010 6:37am PDT

Nic Dunn MyNews4.com (Lake Tahoe) - North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District officials are warning against the use of illegal fireworks, as they are often the cause of fires. A North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District press release reports that three fires in early July were caused by consumer fireworks. Two wildland fires, including one in the 500 block of Tyner Way and a wood shake roof fire on an apartment building on Cottonwood Court were caused by the careless use of consumer fireworks such as aerial rockets, bottle rockets and a smoke bomb.

No injuries were reported in the occupied apartment building and only minor property damage occurred when the roof fire was promptly noticed and 9-1-1 was called

Anyone with information about what caused these fires should contact the Washoe County Sheriff's Office.

Consumer fireworks are legal in some areas outside of Incline Village, Crystal Bay and the rest of the Lake Tahoe Basin, however the hazards they present makes their use dangerous in our high wildland fire hazard community.

The North Lake Tahoe Fire Protection District recommends that you leave fireworks to the professionals. Do not use consumer fireworks, including sparklers, smoke bombs and firecrackers. Also, keep matches and lighters out of children's reach. Teach older children to use fire responsibly.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that in 2008, the last year where statistics are available, fireworks caused an estimated 22,500 reported fires, including 1,400 structure fires, 500 vehicle fires and 20,600 wildland and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated $42 million in direct property damage and even more costs to communities to put out the fires.

The danger of consumer fireworks to children and teens are at least two-and-a-half times greater than the general population according to NFPA. Officials urge residents to teach children that fireworks are not toys. Explain the dangers and ask your children to tell an adult if they find fireworks or if another child is playing with fireworks.

Fireworks are illegal to posses, store, sell or discharge in the Lake Tahoe Basin and elsewhere. This includes all consumer fireworks, including those marked by the California State Fire Marshal's office as "Safe and Sane Fireworks."

The use of consumer fireworks can lead to devastating burns, other injuries, fires and even death. Not only are safety precautions a concern, the cost of suppressing a fire and any other injury caused by fireworks is the direct responsibility of those persons using fireworks.

Anyone with fireworks of any kind may always turn them into any fire station for proper handling and disposal without question at any time.

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COMMENTS

ZACH T.

July 21, 2010 12:23pm PDT

Mark as Offensive

"Consumer fireworks are legal in some areas outside of Incline Village...."

"Fireworks are illegal to posses, store, sell or discharge in the Lake Tahoe Basin and elsewhere...."

Theses statements directly contradict each other.