[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] Walton Considers Fireworks Ban
[/font][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By Christopher Mitchell (cmitchell@wmbb.com)[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]News 13 On Your Side[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif] [/font] [font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Friday, June 23, 2006[/font]
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[/font][font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]DeFuniak Springs, FL - Walton County leaders are considering a ban on fireworks because of drought conditions, but it may not apply to larger fireworks displays.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Signs advertising fireworks are popping up all over the Florida panhandle for people to buy fireworks for their personal use, but if an ordinance is passed by Walton County commissioners Tuesday, local residnts won't be able to use the fireworks they bought this year for July 4th celebrations.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]State fire officials say Walton County is among the dryest in all of Florida, and officials at the Walton County Emergency Operations Center is recommending to county leaders to pass the ordinance to reduce the risk of fire.[/font]
[font=arial,helvetica,sans-serif]County emergency officials say they are not recommending a ban on professional fireworks to county commissioners right now, so residents should be able to enjoy professional fireworks displays provided by the city of DeFuniak Springs and some south Walton businesses who hired licensed and certified firework professionals.[/font]