Forestry official doesn’t favor of fireworks ban

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (AP) — A top official with the South Carolina Forestry Commission says he doesn’t see the need for a fireworks ban, even though a fire that burned almost 1,400 acres in Horry County was caused by fireworks.

The Sun News of Myrtle Beach reported the fire in the Carolina Forest area was 100 percent contained over the weekend. There’s been no estimate of how much it cost to fight the fire that started the July 4th weekend.

The forest protection director for the commission, Darryl Jones, says the agency wouldn’t recommend banning traditional fireworks.

Jones says they cause only about 2 percent of the fires fought by commission firefighters each year. About 45 percent are started from burning debris while another 20 percent are arson.

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Information from: The Sun News, http://www.thesunnews.com/