Drought leads Indy mayor to ban personal fireworks

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INDIANAPOLIS — Indianapolis Mayor Greg Ballard has banned private fireworks shows in the state's largest city.

Ballard issued an emergency declaration Saturday banning unlicensed personal fireworks displays for a week in Indianapolis and Marion County because of the fire threat created by dry conditions. The city went 24 straight days without measurable precipitation before thunderstorms produced some rain Friday and Saturday.

Ballard says the ban does not apply to professional fireworks displays licensed by the state.

Nearly a quarter of Indiana has experienced an extreme drought. Most of the state's 92 counties have banned outdoor burning, and many communities have canceled July 4 fireworks shows as a precaution. The fireworks show planned for downtown Indianapolis on July 4 is still scheduled to go on.