Where were all the fireworks? (Tucson, Oro Valley: appointed, sale, houses)

[Miss Liberty]

Other than the professional displays I was extremely disappointed to see that barely anybody seemed to be setting off any fireworks in general. I was under the impression that Arizona was a big America loving state so I was kind of shocked that I didn't see that many people setting off fireworks. I'm talking about the Catalina, Oro Valley, Northern Tucson area because this is where I was . Now was this because of how dry it is, or because 4th of July was on a Monday this year? Or is it like this every year and if so why is that? I know that fireworks are illegal in a lot of places but that doesn't usually stop people from setting them off and celebrating Independence day. Is Pima County just that strict? Or do people just not care about 4th of July anymore? I know I said a lot of things so maybe somebody can give me a little bit of perspective on this.

[PyroZach]

Currently Arizona only allows the sale, possession and use of consumer fireworks known as Safe & Sane Fireworks in which are fireworks that do not explode or become airborne. Since you like myself love fireworks I have to tell you that a bill has been introduced that would allow the sale of the fireworks that become airborne with the exception of rockets and missiles in Arizona. These type of aerial fireworks do not come down hot and are for the most part completely out when they hit the ground which makes the chance of a fire starting slim to none.

[jksn75]

Perhaps just your street or neighborhood was quiet. Mine was very active.

[Miss Liberty]

Originally Posted by PyroZach

Currently Arizona only allows the sale, possession and use of consumer fireworks known as Safe & Sane Fireworks in which are fireworks that do not explode or become airborne. Since you like myself love fireworks I have to tell you that a bill has been introduced that would allow the sale of the fireworks that become airborne with the exception of rockets and missiles in Arizona. These type of aerial fireworks do not come down hot and are for the most part completely out when they hit the ground which makes the chance of a fire starting slim to none.

That would be awesome! When I still lived in Colorado we would drive across state lines and buy all of the good stuff. I never got into trouble for it. The only thing I stopped messing with was bottle rockets, and that is because those things can fly off anywhere and I don't want to risk it. Now, in Colorado, they have pretty much permanently made all fireworks illegal in most of the state killing whatever fun you could still have on the 4th. If they legalize more fireworks here it will just be another reason why I love Arizona.

Originally Posted by jksn75

Perhaps just your street or neighborhood was quiet. Mine was very active.

Good to hear! What area do you live in if I may ask? I had a couple of houses in my neighborhood setting off the fun mortor shell stuff, but for my neighborhood being as large as it was I was quite disappointed with the lack of displays.

Thank you both for responding.

[mrshowtime3]

Honestly, its just not worth it in most of the state. Its just usually too dry. Its literally playing with fire. Why take the single biggest type of natural disaster we face and increase the odds by allowing dumb people easy access to fireworks? There are plenty of pro shows which are 10x better anyway.

[PyroZach]

Originally Posted by mrshowtime3

Honestly, its just not worth it in most of the state. Its just usually too dry. Its literally playing with fire. Why take the single biggest type of natural disaster we face and increase the odds by allowing dumb people easy access to fireworks? There are plenty of pro shows which are 10x better anyway.

Actually believe it or not but sparklers are the ones that cause the most injuries while the aerial devices also called multi shot repeaters and or cakes are manufactured to come down cool instead of hot which minimizes the likelihood of fires.

[Marcy1210]

Originally Posted by Miss Liberty

That would be awesome! When I still lived in Colorado we would drive across state lines and buy all of the good stuff. I never got into trouble for it. The only thing I stopped messing with was bottle rockets, and that is because those things can fly off anywhere and I don't want to risk it. Now, in Colorado, they have pretty much permanently made all fireworks illegal in most of the state killing whatever fun you could still have on the 4th. If they legalize more fireworks here it will just be another reason why I love Arizona.

I am against private fireworks. As a lifelong resident of CO before I moved here, I can honestly say, that only when I lived in Denver for a while in the 70's, did we use sparklers, smoke bombs or snakes. Once we moved to the mountains, we knew better than to use them privately due to the risk of wildland fire. The Hayman Fire was a good example of why people who partake in any sort of fire producing activity are sent to prison. We were evacuated and worried for over two weeks whether or not we'd have a home again. The Waldo Canyon fire was human caused as was the Black Forest Fire. Over 500 houses lost in those fires. Just today, two campers from Alabama were arrested for starting the fire near Boulder that destroyed three homes, including one that belonged to a wildland fire fighter. There's also a fire burning near Canyon City.

I assume you thought it was cool to go to Wyoming and get illegal fireworks, but it wasn't. It was really stupid, and you're lucky you didn't cause a fire -- even a roof fire in a suburban setting -- or cause serious injury to another person. I hope as long as you live in AZ, you think twice about setting off fireworks. It's much drier here than Colorado, so more risky to set off fireworks. Fire is a very real and scary thing, and most of us don't want to experience it.