Be Safe This 4th of July

To my fellow Americans, happy Independence Day.  To everyone else, happy Wednesday (or Hump Day, as it were...)

On a normal 4th, I would be lighting off fireworks with friends and family, or at least watching someone else blow up their hard-earned money.

This 4th, however, I think I'm going to go fireworks free.  You see, there are over 25 fires burning within the territory I cover for work, and it worries me.

If one more fire starts, the western half of the US is just going to burn to cinders...

A map of fires currently burning in my area... (I'm surrounded!!)

A lot of areas in this 'fire zone' have put a freeze on fireworks for the public.  Some only in unincorporated areas, others have a county-wide ban.  It has been so dry lately that one errant spark could cause a major blaze.  Luckily, out of all the surrounding states, Idaho is the state with the least amount of fires.  Even though one is burning about 45 miles from my house, I'm not in 'OMGWEREGONNADIE' mode as much as people in Montana, Wyoming or Utah are...

If you're celebrating this year with fireworks, remember to be safe.  Or Smokey the Bear will git ya!

Here are some other fun facts about the 4th of July:

Click image to enlarge

Via: MilitaryVALoan.com