Fire Marshal says fireworks not an option for Y2K celebration

While it’s legal for Iowa cities to ring in the year two-thousand with the bang of fireworks, it’s still against the law for individuals to set them off. State officials are warning Iowans to use common sense if they’re going to welcome the new year with the illegal and dangerous noisemakers.While fireworks are legal in Missouri, Assistant Iowa Fire Marshal George Howe says two other neighboring states, Nebraska and South Dakota, are making exceptions to allow some fireworks this weekend only — but NOT Iowa. Howe says people who are caught breaking the law will be punished.Not only are there legal issues involved in the use of fireworks, there’s also a serious safety threat. It’s been very dry across Iowa during recent months and open burning was widely banned, though Howe says the snow has diverted some concern.At the peak, 87 of Iowa’s 99 counties had bans on open burning in effect just a matter of weeks ago. All but two bans have been lifted — they’re still in effect in the city of Estherville & for Montgomery County.