With the 4th of July holiday coming up, some people are getting ready to shoot off fireworks, however, fire officials have concerns.

Greene County Sheriff and Jefferson Fire Chief Jack Williams says even though Greene County has been under a burn ban since last week, fireworks are still permitted. He says the county follows state code when it comes to rural residents shooting off fireworks. According to state code, fireworks are allowed between June 1st and July 8th, along with December 10th through January 3rd.

Williams points out his other concern is the county still suffering from drought and the dry weather may cause other issues. He advises if you decide to shoot off fireworks in rural areas, to do it responsibly.

“Just make sure that you have as little grass, dried brown grass around as you can possibly get. Make sure that you don’t have farm fields with rye grass or switchgrass growing in it anywhere close. Especially if you are shooting the big ones that go way up in the air, depending on the wind direction, it can carry those a long ways. And then just structures. During this heat (and) with the drought, the shingles and stuff are going to burn a lot easier. So we just need to use a lot of caution this year when we’re lighting off fireworks.”

Williams reminds those who do use fireworks, to light them on a concrete surface and have a water source nearby to put out small fires. However, he says if there is a fire to call 911 and have fire personnel respond.