Drought Threatens Firework Business Profit
By: Brittney Johnson, KARK 4 News
Updated: June 28, 2012
Drought conditions are threatening more than trees and fire crews, business owners banking on fireworks say they're having the slowest season in decades.
Moonlight Fireworks owner Kathy Dickey says she enjoys the look on her customers faces as they walk through the door.
"It's like they've come into the candy store. They love the festivity of the fireworks and the excitement just to see the sparkle in their eyes that's the fun thing," she said.
The problem is, due to the extreme heat and dry conditions, these days there aren't many customers.
"It's very dry, it's scary dry," said State Forester Joe Fox. "The woods are tender dry. There are lots of fuels, with just a tiny spark and wind and all of a sudden you have a 20 acre fire."
The Arkansas Forestry Commission is asking all county judges to ban the discharge of fireworks, saying there is no significant rain in the forecast, between now and the 4th of July holiday.
"We're all very patriotic and I love fireworks myself but peoples' safety comes first and our firefighters safety comes first," said Fox.
If the judges comply, business at Moonlight Fireworks would slow even more.
"It'd be devastating. We have a lot of money tied up in it. It would be a big financial setback if that would happen," added Dickey.
With a little less than a week away. She and her husband remain optimistic, hoping Mother Nature comes through.
Dickey said, "I read the Farmers' Almanac. According to them there will be big buckets of rain at the end of this month. I'm hoping they're right."
Due to recent budget cuts, Fox says the forestry commission is short-staffed and they have fewer bodies on the ground to fight fires. Some employees say this is the driest weather they have seen in nearly 40 years.
Moonlight Fireworks owner Kathy Dickey says she enjoys the look on her customers faces as they walk through the door.
"It's like they've come into the candy store. They love the festivity of the fireworks and the excitement just to see the sparkle in their eyes that's the fun thing," she said.
The problem is, due to the extreme heat and dry conditions, these days there aren't many customers.
"It's very dry, it's scary dry," said State Forester Joe Fox. "The woods are tender dry. There are lots of fuels, with just a tiny spark and wind and all of a sudden you have a 20 acre fire."
The Arkansas Forestry Commission is asking all county judges to ban the discharge of fireworks, saying there is no significant rain in the forecast, between now and the 4th of July holiday.
"We're all very patriotic and I love fireworks myself but peoples' safety comes first and our firefighters safety comes first," said Fox.
If the judges comply, business at Moonlight Fireworks would slow even more.
"It'd be devastating. We have a lot of money tied up in it. It would be a big financial setback if that would happen," added Dickey.
With a little less than a week away. She and her husband remain optimistic, hoping Mother Nature comes through.
Dickey said, "I read the Farmers' Almanac. According to them there will be big buckets of rain at the end of this month. I'm hoping they're right."
Due to recent budget cuts, Fox says the forestry commission is short-staffed and they have fewer bodies on the ground to fight fires. Some employees say this is the driest weather they have seen in nearly 40 years.
