Jacob Wood: Salina Had “No Significant Issues” Over Fourth of July Holiday

 Salina experienced a relatively routine Fourth of July holiday, with city officials reporting no significant problems connected to fireworks.

A Salina Fire Department report covering July 3 through July 6 listed 27 fireworks-related calls for service. Of those, 17 were handled by fire prevention personnel, while 10 required a response from fire units.

The calls included reports of fireworks being discharged, grass and brush fires, and other outdoor fires. The report also listed one residential structure fire on Hillcrest Lane as fireworks-related.

Despite the number of calls, City Manager Jacob Wood told Salina city commissioners that activity was consistent with a normal Independence Day holiday.

“This was a pretty typical year,” Wood wrote. “We did not have any significant issues.”

Most of the calls occurred during the evening of July 4 and shortly after midnight on July 5, when fireworks activity was at its highest. Several incidents were resolved within minutes, according to the report.

The overall numbers indicate that Salina firefighters and prevention staff remained busy during the holiday, but the city avoided the kind of major fires, widespread property damage or serious emergencies that can accompany Fourth of July celebrations.