July 4th: How Will Dry Weather Impact the Holiday?

All it takes is one look at the abundance of brown grass around town to remind us about the lack of rain and the drought conditions such weather has created.

This dry weather is dangerous, as is evidenced in Colorado where "high winds and drought-fed flames that have consumed almost 29 square miles," according to the Washington Post. The event is being called the state's worst-ever wildfire, and was recently declared a federal disaster, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Locally, village and city officials are recognizing the dangerous conditions — and precautions have been taken in an attempt to avoid fires.

"Due to the extremely dry conditions, the Village of Saukville Fire Dept. has issued a burning ban for the Village of Saukville," village official Michelle Jaeger said in an e-mail. "This ban is effective immediately and will remain in force until further notice.  This includes all recreational burning with fire stoves and pits.  Outdoor grilling will be allowed."

The village has also decided that it will ban sparklers in village parks during Fourth of July festivities, and there will also be no sparklers allowed in Peninsula Park for the village's fireworks display at dusk on Wednesday.

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Jaeger also said Saukville Fire Chief Gilly Schultz will continue to monitor dry conditions, and a decision on whether to cancel the fireworks altogether would come next week. As of now, the show will go on.

In Port Washington, Fire Chief Mark Mitchell returned on Friday from out of state, and said he has been already discussing the dry conditions with the as well as the Police and Fire Commission in order to make a decision. In any event, Mitchell said he urges people to use caution when participating in any sort of burning activity.

Port Washington also has a fireworks display scheduled to start at dusk on Wednesday, and Mitchell said because the fireworks are shot from the coal docks and over the lake, the show will not be cancelled.

"As of right now, we are going to have the fireworks show regardless," he said, adding that fire crews will be nearby, as usual.

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For anyone who plans on attending Grafton's fireworks display in Lime Kiln Park at dusk on Saturday, village officials said so far the show will go on. People can call the Grafton Police Department on Saturday with questions, at (262) 375-5320.