As Bruce Springsteen once sang, "you can't start a fire without a spark."
In Boulder, Colorado, one man discovered that the hard way — though fortunately without causing any injuries or major damage — after lighting fireworks at Gregory Canyon.
What happened?
As The Denver Gazette reported, a 21-year-old man was arrested in June after a small woodland fire in west Boulder.
The fire allegedly began when the man set off a firework, and he could be charged with second-degree arson, which is a Class 4 felony. Fireworks are banned entirely in Boulder.
Firefighters were able to keep the blaze contained to a 100-square-foot area, but it could have been significantly worse. The arresting sheriff's office told the Gazette that residents must "be mindful of the heightened fire danger in our area."
Why is it important to be careful with fireworks?
The incident served as a reminder to local residents about upcoming Fourth of July celebrations, which typically include plenty of fireworks to commemorate the occasion.
With summer temperatures bringing hot, rain-free days, plant life is deprived of water, causing it to wither and dry out. When in this condition, flora can essentially act as kindling for fires, increasing the risk of huge wildfire events that can devastate homes and businesses, negatively impact air quality, and threaten life.
According to Fox 31, Colorado had 835 wildfires in 2022 that destroyed over 45,000 acres of land. While those figures decreased in 2023, they demonstrate the scale of damage that can be caused. With rising global temperatures increasing the risk of wildfire events, citizens must be especially vigilant about activities that could start a blaze.
What can be done to avoid forest fires?
While avoiding fireworks is clearly one way to reduce the risk of starting a forest fire, irresponsible disposal of hot ashes and batteries, throwing away lit cigarettes, sparks from machinery, and oil-covered rags can all lead to combustion.
But to prevent conditions from becoming ideal for wildfires, we need to limit the production of planet-warming pollution. Carbon dioxide and methane trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to rising thermometers and increased likelihood of drought.
With a lack of water, plant life and trees dry out, making them more susceptible to being set alight with the smallest of sparks. According to the Copernicus Climate Change Service, June marked the 13th consecutive month of record monthly temperatures on Earth, suggesting that drought conditions could become more likely.
Switching to an electric car, eating more plant-based meals, and investing in domestic sustainable energy can all help reduce the amount of pollution we produce daily. And if everyone can speak up and convince some friends and family to take similar actions, the effects could be profound.
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