Burn ban stifles firework displays in Oklahoma

“It's bad, bad, bad,” Forrest said. “In some areas people can buy them, but it's against the law to set them off. Now what kind of sense does that make?”

As of Thursday afternoon, 36 counties are under a burn ban, including Oklahoma, Canadian, Cleveland and Kingfisher counties. Burn bans usually include a prohibition on the personal use of pyrotechnics outside of city limits in areas where it has traditionally been legal to pop fireworks.

Drought conditions across the state have cities tightening the restrictions on personal firework use too, and some have even canceled their public fireworks displays for fear of starting fires.

There will be no fireworks this year exploding over Fort Sill in Lawton. The U.S. Army base's Independence Day celebration and concert will go on as planned Saturday, but its fireworks have been canceled. A fire that started on a base firing range last week burned across 5,500 acres before it was contained. Thirteen homes were destroyed and 1,500 people had to be evacuated.

The city of Mustang traditionally allows fireworks on private property or in the city parks. As of Thursday, setting them off was banned, but city officials Friday were expected to re-evaluate the situation and could possibly change their minds.

Harrah is allowing fireworks July 3-4, but that could change. The city council Wednesday gave Fire Chief Murrel Coleman authority to call off the discharge of fireworks, depending on the heat, wind and drought conditions.

Harrah in March lost several homes to wildfires.

Choctaw city council members have limited the days fireworks can be popped in the city limits. In the past, fireworks could be set off from July 1-5. This year, because of drought conditions, fireworks may only be used on July 4 until 11:30 p.m.