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Sierra Vista bans fireworks because of dry conditions

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Posted 10:17 PM 5/24/2012 : Sierra Vista bans fireworks because of dry conditions

SIERRA VISTA - Dry, windy, weather this week and a pair of fires prompted the Sierra Vista City Council to ban the use of fireworks.

If you remember, less than a year ago that area was rocked by the massive Monument Fire.

In these dry conditions, any simple spark could cause a fire. Firefighters said that's really true with fireworks, because it's not just one spark, it's a bunch of them.

Paul Cimino with the Sierra Vista Fire Department said, "It's something we feel is necessary. We have to reduce every possible risk of wild fire and not just in the mountains and open ranges but as I mentioned, we lost three homes in the city."

A city that's all too familiar with fire. During the Monument Fire, a burning mountain hovered over the community for weeks. The images are still on people's minds almost a year later.

Cimino said, "Even the slightest bit of smoke gets people on edge and rightfully so."

Its a feeling that was only intensified by the recent blaze. One resident we spoke with said, "It still woke me up. Then there's this feeling of oh no. There's still a feeling of dread for me of having that kind of fire happening again."

Its that feeling of dread that many people supporting the ban. Amber Brenner is one of those supporters even though she loves fireworks. She said, "It is kind of smart because of the fires."

But others said the ban takes away all the fun. Rebecca Saunders is against the ban. She said, "It's very disappointing. Everybody looks forward to that. Every small town does, it's all we have. It's something special."

But unless Mother Nature brings some much needed moisture, they'll just have to wait.

The ban only applies to people using fireworks. Merchants are still allowed to sell them, but some places like Fry's have already taken them off the shelf.

Violators of the ban will be ticketed.

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