MONROE - Despite extremely dry conditions, the fireworks show will go on.
Monroe Parks and Recreation Department got approval from the Public Safety Committee Monday, July 2 to continue with its plans for the annual Independence Day Celebration - including fireworks - Wednesday, July 4 in Twining Park.
"So far, they're still on," said City Park Supervisor Paul Klinzing said about the fireworks display.
Only one question was asked: What about the potential for fire?
Klinzing reported that fire prevention preparations began last week with watering the park area where fireworks will be set off. He was scheduled to meet later Monday with Krueger Pyrotechnics and Firework Displays, hired for the fireworks show, to look over the park.
The city has been watering the park area using city water truck on weekdays since Thursday and will continue through Wednesday, Klinzing said. The city street department and fire department will be on- site for additional safety at the show, and Krueger is also prepared to handle any flare-ups.
With severely dry conditions made worse by temperatures nearing the 100-degree mark this week, Green, Lafayette and 18 other southern Wisconsin counties have a "very high" fire danger rating, according to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The DNR issued emergency burning restrictions, which began at midnight Friday, June 29, for 11 of the southern counties in fire protection areas under DNR control. All of Crawford, Richland, Sauk, Columbia, Marquette, Green Lake and portions of Iowa, Grant, Dane, Adams and Juneau counties are impacted by these emergency burning restrictions.
Late last week, burn bans were also placed throughout Stephenson County and Jo Daviess County in Illinois. The burn ban there includes all fires - recreational fires; brush, garbage, or yard waste burning; fireworks; and camp fires. The burn ban is a result of dry weather conditions and will remain in effect until conditions improve or until further notice.
The DNR reported the burning restrictions in Wisconsin are primarily due to the lack of precipitation creating abnormally dry conditions over southern Wisconsin. Record low amounts of precipitation have occurred in the month of June; the Madison area is on pace to be the third driest on record with a mere 0.31 inches of rain. The fire danger level at "very high" in several counties make the possibility for wildfires a real concern.
Monroe Parks and Recreation Department got approval from the Public Safety Committee Monday, July 2 to continue with its plans for the annual Independence Day Celebration - including fireworks - Wednesday, July 4 in Twining Park.
"So far, they're still on," said City Park Supervisor Paul Klinzing said about the fireworks display.
Only one question was asked: What about the potential for fire?
Klinzing reported that fire prevention preparations began last week with watering the park area where fireworks will be set off. He was scheduled to meet later Monday with Krueger Pyrotechnics and Firework Displays, hired for the fireworks show, to look over the park.
The city has been watering the park area using city water truck on weekdays since Thursday and will continue through Wednesday, Klinzing said. The city street department and fire department will be on- site for additional safety at the show, and Krueger is also prepared to handle any flare-ups.
With severely dry conditions made worse by temperatures nearing the 100-degree mark this week, Green, Lafayette and 18 other southern Wisconsin counties have a "very high" fire danger rating, according to the state Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The DNR issued emergency burning restrictions, which began at midnight Friday, June 29, for 11 of the southern counties in fire protection areas under DNR control. All of Crawford, Richland, Sauk, Columbia, Marquette, Green Lake and portions of Iowa, Grant, Dane, Adams and Juneau counties are impacted by these emergency burning restrictions.
Late last week, burn bans were also placed throughout Stephenson County and Jo Daviess County in Illinois. The burn ban there includes all fires - recreational fires; brush, garbage, or yard waste burning; fireworks; and camp fires. The burn ban is a result of dry weather conditions and will remain in effect until conditions improve or until further notice.
The DNR reported the burning restrictions in Wisconsin are primarily due to the lack of precipitation creating abnormally dry conditions over southern Wisconsin. Record low amounts of precipitation have occurred in the month of June; the Madison area is on pace to be the third driest on record with a mere 0.31 inches of rain. The fire danger level at "very high" in several counties make the possibility for wildfires a real concern.