Officials Urge Caution with New Year’s Fireworks

RAPID CITY, S.D. (AP) - South Dakota firefighting officials are urging people to take extra care to prevent wildfires when using fireworks over the New Year's holiday period.

Officials say grassland areas are still dry, which means the danger of wildfires is above normal for this time of year.

State Wildland Fire Division Director Jay Esperance says people should use extreme caution when shooting fireworks. The discharge of fireworks is prohibited in the Black Hills Fire Protection District and some other areas.

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