With much of northern Illinois in a moderate drought, local officials are warning residents of the potential risk of fire caused by fireworks.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (N.F.O.A.) more U.S. fires are reported on the fourth of July than on any other day, and fireworks accounted for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fire.
With the dry weather conditions, residents are encouraged to use extra precautions when celebrating the holiday this year, according to a village of Lake in the Hills press release.
The Lake in the Hills Police Department will have zero tolerance on violations of the Municipal fireworks ordinance and/or Illinois law, according to a LITH press release.
Any violators will be issued tickets for the violation. The minimum fine for violations of this ordinance is $250.00 and the maximum fine is $1,500.00, according to the LITH news release.
The village of Algonquin does not allow anyone to "explode any fireworks, in- cluding aerial or ground displays, in the Village without a permit issued by the Village Board," according to the village's municipal code.
According to a statement from the Lake County Fire Chiefs Association and Lake County Emergency Management, the unusually dry weather across northeastern Illinois has resulted in an increased risk for wildfires. Several significant brush and grass fires have occurred in Lake County over the past week.
As of Friday, the National Integrated Drought Information System has placed most of northern Illinois in the moderate drought category .
According to the National Weather Service, the climate station at O'Hare International Airport has measured less than a half inch of rain in June , which is about 2.69 inches less than normal.
The area got some rain on Friday and there is a chance of rain showers through Monday.
