DRY SPELL SPAWNS RECOMMENDEATION TO RESTRICT OPEN BURNING, FIREWORKS

Cape Girardeau Fire Chief Robert Ridgeway is so concerned about the dry conditions this summer that he asked the city council to restrict open burning in the city.

"The last time it rained was just 20 minutes during Riverfest and a few weeks before that just briefly," said Ridgeway. "I am extremely concerned with the hazard of open burning and would ask that anyone who is planning on this would have to pass an inspection by the city and apply for a permit."

The city council agreed that Ridgeway's concerns were valid and assured him he would have the power to restrict open burning until the next rainfall.

Ridgeway said he also is concerned about possible fire hazards associated with the use of fireworks during such a long period dry spell.

"We would have to check to see if this is even legal, but if we go another full week without rain, I would like to look into banning the use of fireworks this season," said Ridgeway.

City Councilman Richard Eggimann said he didn't think banning the use of fireworks in an emergency situation would be legal. "I don't think you would be able to stop the sale and use of fireworks when the stands have already gone up," he said.

Said Ridgeway, "But what choices do we have when the situation gets that bad?"

The Cape fire chief suggested placing an amendment in the current ordinance to accommodate emergency situations such as this one.

"After this season, I think we ought to look into enacting an ordinance that would prohibit the sale and use of fireworks in the event that there would be another dry period like this one," said Ridgeway.

City Councilman Tom Neumeyer said, "I can appreciate your concern for the chance of fire breaking out, but I would also hate to be the Grinch who stole Fourth of July."

"I would rather be the Grinch who stole Fourth of July than the one who burned it down," replied Ridgeway.

He noted that cities like Sikeston and portions of St. Louis have banned the sale and use of fireworks. "There are parts of St. Louis, like south County, where it is illegal to shoot off fireworks," he said.

"I remember when I was working during the riots in Washington D.C. in the '60s, the city restricted the sale of gasoline to just automobiles. You could have a similar emergency provision in the ordinance for fireworks here."

If the city is unable to ban the use of fireworks under extreme dry conditions, Ridgeway urged extreme caution in the next few weeks.

It is legal in the city of Cape Girardeau to sell and shoot fireworks between June 20 and July 4.