News Release

July 3, 2012

Contact:
Mary Geiger
Communications Director
Kansas Department of Agriculture
(785) 296-2653 phone
Mary.Geiger@kda.ks.gov

KDA Urges Kansans to be Cautious this Fourth of July

TOPEKA – Kansas Secretary of Agriculture Dale Rodman urged Kansans to take extra caution this Fourth of July holiday due to drought conditions across the state of Kansas. With nearly half of the state’s 105 counties having a burn ban in place, Rodman said an extra level of caution is needed as plans are made for backyard barbecues and fireworks this year.

“We want all Kansans to enjoy celebrating our nation’s independence with friends and loved ones this week,” Rodman said. “From small yards to large crop fields and pastures, our state is very dry, which has increased the threat of uncontrolled fire. It only takes a small spark to ignite a large fire so we strongly urge Kansans to be very careful and take extra precautions this year.”

According to the National Weather Service, statewide forecasts are predicting triple-digit temperatures with no chance of rain for the Fourth of July. While it is up to local officials to put in place bans on fireworks, Rodman noted that the U.S. Fire Administration recommends attending public fireworks displays and leaving the lighting to the professionals.

“The threat of fire is real and we need to look no further than to our neighbors to the west to see the devastating impacts of wildfires,” Rodman said. “Given the high winds, excessive heat and lack of precipitation we’ve been experiencing statewide, all Kansans need to be very careful this Fourth of July.”

For more information about summer fire safety recommendations from the U.S. Fire Administration, click here.

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