The best place to shoot off fireworks

I already wrote my ode to July 4th in a 2021 newsletter, so I won't revisit it today. I do have a new spin for this year's festivities.

In the summer in the Southwest, there are always concerns about a lack of rain and dry areas where wildfires may start. In fact, there are usually restrictions on fireworks or even cancellation of official shows for fire prevention. Things are more serious this year with several wildfires actively burning in northern Arizona and southern Utah. So, I completely agree that we should not be shooting off fireworks in an area where there is a risk of starting a wildfire. Where is the best place to shoot them, you ask? 

I say the best place to shoot off fireworks is directly over and into a raging wildfire. First of all, the fire is already going, probably due to lightning or some natural cause. It's not your fault. As Billy Joel said, "we didn't start the fire." So, it's already going, and as long as you are close enough without being required to leave due to an evacuation order, that's the perfect place to shoot fireworks. Another benefit is that all the detritus and blown fireworks will simply burn up in the wildfire, so you don't have anything to clean up.

So if you are unfortunate enough to live near a current wildfire and are worrying about whether your homestead will be burnt to the ground, at least entertain yourself by shooting fireworks directly into the blaze.