Faulkner County is under a burn ban, and the Office of Emergency Management is “strongly discouraging” the discharge of fireworks until the burn ban is lifted.

Weeks of rainless weather have created a dangerous situation, favorable for wildfires.

“We have had many fires in the past week, one that destroyed nearly 100 acres,” said Sheila Maxwell, OEM director.

She said that any community wishing to have fireworks must get a permit from the OEM office.

An out-of-control, uncontrolled burn can result in a Class A misdemeanor.

“If any damage should occur as the result of your fireworks, you can be held liable for any damages,” Maxwell said.

“Please help keep everyone safe this Fourth of July and avoid the discharge of fireworks until the conditions are more favorable.”

In Conway, it was a decade-long tradition that fireworks were part of the Lights Over the Lake concert by the Conway Symphony Orchestra at Beaverfork Lake until two years ago. The Conway Community Band will have

a patriotic concert in Simon Park on Saturday, June 30. No fireworks are planned.

Conway Country Club discontinued its fireworks show a few years ago, but Centennial Valley Country Club continues with its extravaganza.

Just in time for the holiday, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) released its Fireworks report which explores fire and injury dangers related to consumer fireworks.

The report shows that in 2010 alone, an estimated 15,500 reported fires were started by fireworks and 8,600 fireworks-related injuries were treated in U.S. hospital emergency rooms.

It also shows that there are more fires on a typical Fourth of July than any other day of the year. Fireworks account for two out of five of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

 “Thousands of people are treated in U.S. emergency rooms each year because of incidents involving consumer fireworks and many times these injuries are extremely painful and require long-term recovery – using consumer fireworks is simply not worth the risk,” said James Shannon, president of NFPA.

“We encourage families to enjoy public displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.”

In Conway, it was a family tradition that fireworks were part of the Lights Over the Lake concert by the Conway Symphony Orchestra at Beaverfork Lake. The concert was moved to Simon Park in 2011, without fireworks.

Conway Country Club discontinued its fireworks show a few years ago, but Centennial Valley Country Club continues with its extravaganza.

The Fireworks report outlines specific statistics regarding how the use of consumer fireworks relates to fire danger including:

In 2010, fireworks caused an estimated 15,500 reported fires, including 1,100 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 14,100 outside and other fires.

These fires resulted in an estimated eight reported deaths, 60 civilian injuries and $36 million in direct property damage.

The report demonstrates using consumer fireworks heightens the risk of injury and even death. The study showed:

The risk of fireworks injury was highest for children ages 5-14 with more than twice the risk for the general population.

Sparklers and novelties alone accounted for 38 percent of the 8,600 emergency room fireworks injuries in 2010.

With the Fireworks report’s findings in mind, NFPA along with the American Academy of Pediatrics, founded the Alliance to Stop Consumer Fireworks to warn individuals about the dangers of consumer fireworks. The Alliance is a group of health and safety organizations that urges the public to avoid the use of consumer fireworks and instead, to enjoy displays of fireworks conducted by trained professionals.

To view the full Fireworks report and for more information about NFPA and firework safety, visit www.nfpa.org/fireworks.

If your community is planning a fireworks display, please send information to becky.harris@thecabin.net for inclusion in Roundabout.

(Staff writer Becky Harris can be reached at becky.harris@thecabin.net and 505-1234.)