By Patric Hedlund

Drought has created extreme fire danger in the Mountain Communities this year. No fireworks of any kind are allowed (other than the single cannon salute at Fort Tejon on Friday).

Target practice and campfires have been banned by Los Padres National Forest in these mountains. The Kern County Fire Department put out warnings that residents need to be alert and vigilant to prevent forest fires this weekend and through the summer.

The “safe and sane” fireworks allowed in less dangerous areas are illegal here. Even ‘sparklers’ are illegal, said KCFD spokesman Brandon Hill. In a press conference this week, it was reported that 200 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated by law enforcement in 2012. This year 2,300 pounds had already been seized by July 1.

This is part of the July 4, 2014 online edition of The Mountain Enterprise.

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