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Wildfire Risk Leads To Florida Fireworks Bans

TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) – Fourth of July celebrations just won't be the same in Florida without fireworks as some parts of the state ban fireworks due to our severe drought and rampant wildfires.

Twenty-nine Florida counties have banned open fires and in 22 of those counties, the ban covers fireworks.

According to the Florida Division of Forestry, more than 440 active wildfires were roaring across the state. One of the biggest fires burning is the Blue Ribbon Fire in Hamilton County near the Georgia border where two forest rangers were killed fighting Monday.

Heat and lack of rain have contributed to one of the worst years for wildfires in recent history in Florida.

Alachua, Marlon, Polk, Volusia, Brevard and Osceola are among the counties where local governments have included fireworks in their burn bans.

Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe counties do not have burn or fireworks bans.

The Florida Division of Forestry has a list of bans on their website.

The forestry division says that through Tuesday, 3,800 wildfires have consumed nearly 400 square miles in Florida.

(TM and © Copyright 2011 CBS Radio Inc. and its relevant subsidiaries. CBS RADIO and EYE Logo TM and Copyright 2010 CBS Broadcasting Inc. Used under license. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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