Local towns issue no-burn notices, limit use of fireworks

SIKESTON -- Extremely dry weather conditions have fizzled some local residents' fireworks plans.

On Monday and Tuesday some towns and counties issued fireworks bans and no-burn notices until the area receives some much-needed rain. However, sunny skies with highs reaching triple digits are forecast over the next several days, according to the National Weather Service in Paducah, Ky.

Several counties in Southeast Missouri including Scott, New Madrid, Mississippi and Stoddard counties are classified as being in the state of an extreme drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

In Sikeston, a no-burn order is in effect until further notice. Sikeston already has ordinances against anyone discharging fireworks in the city limits.

"We realize this order will not stop all fires, but our goal is to reduce the number of these incidents," said Lt. Jim McMillen, public information officer for Sikeston DPS. "... Hopefully,we will get some rain soon so this order can be lifted."

In the meantime, the Sikeston will expand hours of its compost site on Compress Road hours to accommodate the citizens who need to dispose of brush. The site will be open 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 8 a.m. to noon Saturday as well as 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday and Tuesday of next week.

The recent hot and dry weather has created favorable conditions for grass fires, McMillen said.

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