Editorial: Right call to ban fireworks

Lexington officials made the right call by banning fireworks.

Luckily, no one has been seriously hurt in the 135 brush, grass or mulch fires in Lexington since June 15.

But conditions are so dry that a spark from a firecracker could easily ignite a fire that damages buildings or takes lives.

You can still ooh-and-ahh to celebrate Independence Day at five already-permitted public displays, including the annual fireworks downtown the evening of July 4 and the Red, White and Boom display on July 7 at Whitaker Bank Ballpark. The ban does not apply to them.

The penalty for first-time violations of the fireworks ban is $100 with harsher penalties for starting a fire even unintentionally. The ban applies to all fireworks including sparklers.

While this might be unwelcome news for seasonal fireworks venders (and people with pyromaniacal tendencies), it's the right thing for everyone else.

This story was originally published July 3, 2012 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Editorial: Right call to ban fireworks."