It may be cool, but state officials warn fire danger still exists

Several state agencies are advising citizens that despite cool and wet conditions so far this summer there still exists the danger for residential and wildland fires, especially around the July 4 holiday and as the summer gets hotter and vegetation dries out.

According to the Office of the State Fire Marshal there were 264 fires in 2011 caused by fireworks, with 89 residential fires creating an estimated loss of $568,846. In a news release, State Fire Marshal Charles M. Duffy noted that using fireworks in a negligent or reckless manner can have criminal and/or legal consequences, which range f...