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Jul. 01, 2009
Copyright © Las Vegas Review-Journal

FOURTH OF JULY: When sparks fly, firefighters worry

Illegal fireworks raise risk of tragedy, experts warn

By MIKE BLASKY
LAS VEGAS REVIEW-JOURNAL

Info on Fourth of July celebrations

Dan Bushkin, left, a fireworks inspector for Clark County, looks over a fireworks booth with Mickel McKinley on Tuesday in Las Vegas. Clark County Fire Department officials are discouraging the use of illegal fireworks, which can cause fires and injuries.
Photo by John Locher.

Ask Clark County Fire Department spokesman Scott Allison about illegal fireworks and he recalls one Fourth of July about eight years ago.

A 14-year-old boy was using illegal fireworks while his parents were at a party. One of the smoldering bottle rockets veered off course, landed on the roof and continued to smolder.

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    • Soon, it developed into a full-blown fire.

    "They lost everything," Allison said.

    The consequences are rarely so severe, but the potential for tragedy is always there. Allison said the Fourth of July is the second-busiest day of the year for the department, behind only New Year's Eve.

    The misfires that become incidents usually result in minor burns and brush fires, but they keep firefighters on their toes.

    "Sparks and embers fly, land on trees, and a fire breaks out," said Dan Bushkin, a fireworks inspector for Clark County. "It's an absolute nightmare for us."

    Bushkin and fellow fireworks inspectors are responsible for regulating about 200 fireworks booths in Clark County, which sell "safe and sane" fireworks during a one-week window June 28 to July 4.

    Illegal fireworks in Clark County are classified as any fireworks that fly, explode or twirl on the ground.

    Larger, more dangerous fireworks are available in Nye County and the Valley of Fire, and sometimes folks are tempted to bring them into Clark County, Allison said.

    If caught with illegal fireworks -- even transporting them -- offenders can face a citation up to $500 and confiscation of the illegal property.

    At a check station at Mountain Springs last year, police stopped a truck carrying 40,000 pounds of illegal fireworks purchased in Pahrump. The truck was headed to California to re-sell the haul, Allison said.

    "That's a lot of wasted money they spent," he said.

    Local fireworks booths will almost never risk selling illegal fireworks under the table, Bushkin said, because only nonprofit groups are licensed to sell fireworks.

    For Grace McKinley, outreach director for Solid Rock Christian Church at Pecos and Pebble roads, losing the license isn't worth the risk.

    "We made $7,500 (at the fireworks stand) last year," McKinley said. "That supports our outreach programs like our food pantry."

    Allison said fireworks are like any other hazard, such as candles that are left burning. The only thing he can do, he said, is emphasize the department's message: Use common sense when handling fireworks.

    "It's not rocket science," Allison said.

    Contact reporter Mike Blasky at mblasky@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0283.

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    Annette Bushkin wrote on July 04, 2009 02:11 PM: Thanks to all the fire inspectors for keeping us safe


    Xpryo wrote on July 01, 2009 09:22 PM: The last time I checked fireworks were illegal in Nevada (check the law) unless approved by the local government. How screwed up is that. …


    If you want to see some really great fireworks.... wrote on July 01, 2009 05:24 PM: come on over to my in-laws on the 4th of July after they have consumed their 3rd 12 pack of Bud Lighr.

    My mother-in-law will bring up the time her husband was stepping out on her and he will give her a couple of "what fors" across the chops.

    It gets really interesting when my brother-in-law steps in to stop his father from busting his mother's jaw like he did two years ago.

    Ahhhhhhh....4th of July fireworks at the in-laws, there's nothing like it and it's safe for the kids.


    Nick wrote on July 01, 2009 04:38 PM: Mikey this same article runs every year. 8 years ago a fire??? Mikey the roofs are not wood single in Las Vegas. I will give you a torch and a roofing shingle and give you $1000 if you can get it to burn. By the way the wonderfule fire department in this town spends more time at the gym than the fitness trainers. Se ya at the Indian reservation.


    Federal Ban on Fireworks wrote on July 01, 2009 04:29 PM: The Feds will be banning fireworks shortly as instructions for use have only been written in English.


    TK wrote on July 01, 2009 02:35 PM: With all the shows you can see in Vegas why watch your own money go up in flames?


    Besh Cooper wrote on July 01, 2009 12:33 PM: Fireworks should be banned for personal use.
    We should have to tune into PBS at 7 PM on July 4th and watch a state sponsored broadcast that consists of computer generated images of fireworks.
    There will be a warning at the start of the broadcast that sitting too close to the TV could be hazardous to your health.
    At 7:30 the broadcast will end, the power will be shut off in residential areas and everyone will go to sleep.


    joke wrote on July 01, 2009 12:08 PM: Listen to all of you pyro technics professionals!


    Fred wrote on July 01, 2009 12:02 PM: They should be called "undocumented fireworks".


    Jake wrote on July 01, 2009 11:59 AM: You gota be dumb and white to have your house ignited by flames due to a bottle rocket. Lmao. If you're smart, you will have fun, regardless if your fireworks are illegal or not. Now if your holding your fireworks in your hand, and not using precautionaries, you're bound to get 1st, 2nd and 3rd degree burns...but that's because of "common sense"


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