Agriculture Commissioner Wilton Simpson warns that if rain doesn’t come to the state between now and Independence Day, fireworks displays may have to be curtailed due to drought.

“If we’re still in drought conditions come the Fourth of July, then absolutely yes,” Simpson said during a media conference in Brooksville when asked whether people should consider holding off on fireworks shows.

Simpson said that with “potentially hundreds of thousands of people going out doing fireworks,” bad things could happen.

“You could put the entire state on fire in one evening all over the state, all at one time,” he said. Simpson noted that even though Floridians “love” the America 250 theme this year, policymakers “probably ought to be concerned, considering alternatives.”

Virtually all of Florida is experiencing some level of drought, with extreme or exceptional levels covering most of the peninsula and much of the Panhandle.

All 67 counties are classified as having some fire danger, according to a map from the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services.

Sustained precipitation could lessen the danger though.

Simpson said “if we’re blessed with rain, a big rain in June or plenty of rain in June, maybe that will change.”

“But it’s something that people should be certainly planning for in all communities,” he added.

Florida Statute, though it’s fitfully enforced on the local level, allows for people to ignite fireworks only on New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day and Independence Day.

However, many municipalities have their own fireworks displays. Planning is well underway for these events.

Time will tell if the drought abates.

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