Drought Conditions A Perfect Firestorm

Independence Day. Fourth of July. Time to celebrate, put out your flags, attend parades, barbecues, and yes, backyard fireworks. Wait, aren't fireworks illegal in Illinois? We can have sparklers, and smoke bombs and even snakes, but are we allowed fountains, bottle rockets, Roman candles, M80's, and the like?

Summertime, especially the weeks before and after our nation's birthday, many show their spirit of freedom by shooting off illegal fireworks. After all, isn't it a tradition to  invite some friends, grill some food, add a few adult beverages and launch rockets from your back yard?

This year, I'm going to rain on your parade. In fact, I wish it could make it rain, slow, long, soaking rain for at least a day or two because in case you haven't noticed, we are in a drought. Once spring green lawns are now yellow brown and crisp to the touch. Yards are like concrete with cracks that reach all the way to China, shrubs withering, trees wilting and dropping their leaves.

A perfect firestorm. Just a word of caution on these days of celebration: be mindful of where your rockets go, up in the air, out of your sight, sparks flying hither and yon. Maybe settle for seeing professionals launch fireworks if even they still go on.

In the drought of '88, fireworks across the area were canceled; it was a necessity. Even if it rains between now and the 4th, it won't make the lawns any more moist. We are in a drought, a tinderbox, a perfect firestorm.

Enjoy your parades, your independence, your grilling, your parties, but please, be safe and smart, and this year, leave the fireworks to the professionals.