Monday, Aug. 01, 2011

Myrtle Beach area fireworks ban idea a dud

Fireworks are a time-tested summer tradition enjoyed by millions each year.

But if used irresponsibly, they can be a nightmare. Fire officials say these Fourth of July staples are the cause of July 3's Hornet Fire in the Carolina Forest area, which was 100 percent contained but not controlled as of this weekend.

It has burned almost 1,400 acres and reignited the discussion of whether fireworks should be banned across Horry County. No estimate of the cost to battle the blaze thus far was available at this writing.

What might come as a surprise is that the taxing agency that has battled the Hornet Fire is not in favor of extinguishing fireworks permanently in Horry County.

Darryl Jones, forest protection director for the S.C. Forestry Commission, said his organization - its resources and men stretched thin by the Hornet Fire - wouldn't recommend a ban on traditional fireworks in Horry County or any other county across the state.

The firework responsible for starting the Hornet Fire, Jones said, is the sky lantern, made of a thin material that acts like a small hot air balloon.

He said forestry officials don't know where the firework came from or who lit it, but witnesses reported it traveled quite a distance.

"There is something in there that we may need to address," he said, adding that the commission would involve the state fire marshal's office in coming up with possible regulations on sky lanterns.

Jones said the firework is one he wasn't familiar with until now.

Fireworks not a big problem?

Fireworks-spawned fires account for only 1 percent or 2 percent of the blazes the forestry commission battles every year, Jones said.

"We know that around 45 percent of our fires are backyard debris burns," Jones said.

Another 20 percent of fires are set on purpose.

"In the scheme of things, fireworks isn't one of our major causes," Jones said.

However, he does remind people they are responsible if fireworks cause a brush fire, and can be charged under state law. If found guilty, the person or persons can face a maximum fine of $467.50, Jones said.

County, city rules

Before 2005, state legislatures only gave cities the right to ban fireworks while the counties had no say, said Lisa Bourcier, Horry County spokeswoman.

"That prohibition is typical for cities in S.C.," said Mark Kruea, spokesman for Myrtle Beach, which does not allow the sale, use or possession of fireworks inside the city limits.

Kruea said fireworks in incorporated areas aren't a good mix because of the number of businesses and homes in close proximity.

But in 2003 and 2004, Rep. Alan Clemmons, R-Myrtle Beach, said he received numerous complaints from residents about fireworks on the Grand Strand's unincorporated beaches.

The complaints were typically noise-related, but some stemmed from condo fires caused by the recreational explosives, Clemmons said.

Bourcier said Clemmons pushed to give some rights to the counties for fireworks regulation. In 2005, S.C. enacted legislation allowing for the establishment of fireworks prohibited zones within counties and municipalities.

"It has struck a good balance," Clemmons said.

The legislation allows for property owners to come before county officials and request their property be fireworks-prohibited zones. Once a request is granted, the property owners must put up signage advertising that fireworks aren't allowed.

Most of the people who have requested fireworks-free zones are those from rental home businesses and campgrounds, Bourcier said. Homeowners in subdivisions can request zones as well, but they have to be for common areas.

Since the law went into effect, Clemmons said he hasn't received any complaints about fireworks.

Despite the Hornet Fire, Clemmons doesn't see any change coming in the next legislative session, which begins in January.

"It seems to me that that is still a good place for us to be," he said about current regulations.

Jones said traditional fireworks aren't a problem, just as long as they're used with the right supervision.

"You don't want something that flies into the air, out of your control, to land in a dry field," he said.

Forestry officials try to educate people about the dangers of shooting aerial fireworks toward wooded areas, because it's much harder to see where they land, Jones said.

He cautions that if a firework does land in the woods, people should go and find its landing spot.

One of the most popular flying fireworks is now out of area stores because of a law that was passed several years ago.

Bruce Capwell, owner of Phantom Fireworks off U.S. 501 in Myrtle Beach, said he can no longer sell bottle rockets because of past problems with people firing them at each other.

"They have their little wars and everything," he said.

Other than a few "stupid people" who misuse them, Capwell said, he doesn't hear many complaints about fireworks getting out of control.

"If you're safe and do what the instructions say, then there should be no problem," he said.

Contact BRAD DICKERSON at 626-0301.

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