MACON, MO. -- If you were thinking of shooting off fireworks in Macon for the 4th of July, think again. The Macon Fire Department has issued a burn ban.
The burn ban is in place until further notice and prohibits residents within Macon City limits from starting yard waste fires, recreation fires, or doing any outdoor cooking. The ban prohibits outdoor fireplaces, fire pits, bon fires, burn barrels and any other open burning.
"Because of the hot and dry weather and the lack if rain in the forecast, the City of Macon, and the Macon Fire Department issued a burn ban just to take any precautions on starting any fires," said Fire Captain Travis Austin, with the Macon Fire Department. "We don't want to take any changes of having anything get out of control. The importance of this ban is just to keep the community safe and not have any loss of any property. "
Austin said consumer fireworks are banned within Macon City limits until further notice, including at Macon Lake.
The ban does not bar residents from using grills for cooking and businesses that use fully enclosed burning appliances, such as incinerators, as part of their operation and the appliance does not emit sparks from the device.
There will still be a public fireworks display at the Macon County Fairgrounds.