With the 4th of July holiday upon us, the hot and extremely dry conditions have local authorities concerned this year.

Many other communities are prohibiting open fires, and Clinton is doing the same. Fire Chief Shawn Milton explains the Clinton City Council put a ban on those recreational fires. He says while enforcing it will be difficult, he encourages anyone that has a fire going to have a garden hose nearby.

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The extremely dry weather has crews very concerned. Chief Milton explains the fire department has already this year seen small grass fires flare up because of how dry things are getting.

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Chief Milton reminds those planning to use various fireworks, the consumer fireworks can be a hazard to your neighbors and the community as a whole. He says with the dry conditions they could see multiple events happen. And he says the so-called harmless sparklers can burn at 16-hundred degrees Fahrenheit. He says that is more than enough heat to ignite wood or dry brush.

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The chief also notes the fireworks display set for tomorrow night is conducted by professionals and the fire department does stand by in the event of an incident. The grass where the fireworks will be set off is green thanks to watering from the pond in front of Sunset Inn when it was drained.

Chief Milton encourages residents to contact the fire department at 935-3712 for questions or concerns.