Grass fire at HomerFest sparks warnings on fireworks safety ahead of Fourth of July holiday
After a small grass fire at HomerFest Thursday, fire officials there are urging residents not to shoot off fireworks at home ahead of the Fourth of July holiday because most fireworks are illegal and dry conditions make fireworks more dangerous this year.
About halfway through the HomerFest fireworks display Thursday, the first day of the fest, a small grass fire started within the display’s safety zone after a shell exploded on the ground, said Homer Township Fire Protection District deputy Chief Dave Bricker.
The fire was put out by the fireworks crew, which was on standby in the safe zone, Bricker said. The firework company used water tanks and also stomped out the fire, he said, and the nearby fire crews responded to put out a few hot spot areas.
“It was basically an insignificant fire,” Bricker said. “It was put out with water cans and people’s feet.”
Madelyn Boylan, a Homer Glen resident, said the fire “was very well handled and out within minutes.”
Ahead of any professional fireworks display, Bricker said the Fire Department meets with the fireworks company to make sure proper permits are up to date and to create a safety plan.
In the days leading up to the event, Bricker said fire crews monitor weather conditions to make sure conditions are safe. For example, on the final day of Lockport’s Canal Days June 11, the fire district called off the scheduled firework display because the wind conditions were unsafe, he said.
The majority of fireworks, particularly the professional grade fireworks, are illegal in Illinois, Bricker said, so residents should not shoot off fireworks at home.
At a professional show, the fire departments ensure there is a safety zone of 70 feet for every inch of firework shell and firefighters are on standby in case something goes wrong, he said. Residents do not have the same kind of precautions at home, he said.
“Dry or not dry conditions, we do not recommend people shoot them off at their house,” Bricker said.
New Lenox fire Chief Adam Riegel said while it may be tempting to set off fireworks around the Fourth of July, he urged residents to leave it to professionals. But, if residents do set off fireworks or fire crackers, Riegel recommended using a hard surface base and watering any nearby grass.
About every three years or so, Riegel said, firefighters responds to a fire caused by fireworks hitting a structure or hot shells being thrown away too soon and starting a garbage fire.
“With the dry conditions, it won’t take much to light the grass on fire,” Riegel said.
The village of New Lenox will still hold its Fourth of July fireworks display the day of the holiday, Riegel said, in the village commons on a dead end street.
“The chance of setting something on fire there are slim, so the village still plans to hold our show,” Riegel said.
The Tinley Park Fire Department offered alternatives, including glow sticks, noise makers and silly string, calling fireworks “dangerous, especially with lawns being so dry due to the recent lack of rain.” The department also recommended an outdoor movie night, a family craft night or throwing a birthday party for the country.
Alsip fire Chief Thomas Styczynski said residents should refrain from drinking alcohol if they choose to shoot off fireworks, big or small, and to monitor children playing with sparklers or snake fireworks.
Residents should also water the grass near the area of the fireworks so that any embers that land are quickly put out, Styczynski said.
“I know people like lighting off fireworks, I used to be one of those people. You just have to be cautious and careful,” Styczynski said.
