It is not surprising that there are fires burning in our state due to the extreme heat these last few weeks.  As of this writing, there have been four major fires — the largest of which is 14,000 acres in the Columbia National Wildlife refuge, near Royal City, Washington.  Another big fire is burning near Winthrop, Washington, covering 3,500 acres. Both are just 50 percent contained.

And it seems that summer has just begun.

So, it is more than ironic that along with fire season, it is also fireworks season.  According to the online magazine, Money, American consumers spend $13 million more on fireworks last year because July 4 fell on a Friday.  This coming weekend, with the holiday designated for Friday July 3, sets up a three-day weekend of an increased risk of fires and injury.

The U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission reported that fireworks were involved in an estimated 11,400 injuries treated in hospital emergency departments in 2013. In our state last year, there were 45 fire-related fatalities.

So why do we continue to allow consumer fireworks?

It seems that for many, blowing up explosives over the holiday is practically a constitutional right. Yet exercising this right costs millions of federal and local dollars to fight accidental fires and to treat victims. Local public safety organizations and hospitals are left to pick up the pieces.

So of course, fireworks are not responsible for all fires,  big or small. But the risk — however small, is simply not worth it.

The Washington State Legislature has grappled for years to find enough more money to pay for schools.  As our planet continues to warm, so will the incidence of  fires.

Just how will we pay for that?

Mary L. Grady, editor