No fireworks for the 4th

America likes to celebrate Independence day with fireworks — a tradition that dates all the way back to 1776.

But that tradition doesn’t fly in Sisters.

Fireworks are prohibited within city limits, in local subdivisions, and in surrounding forests. The reason is — or ought to be — self-evident: Fire risk is just too great.

“It’s already plenty dry out there,” Fire Chief Roger Johnson told The Nugget.

The Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire District will be out and about on Tuesday, July 4, as they always are.

“If there’s a fire that starts,” we have vehicles that are staffed, we’re already out in the community and ready to go,” he explained.

The chief noted that there has not been a problem with people using fireworks in the past couple of years, which indicates that people understand the risk when living in or visiting a wildfire-prone area.

Even without the bonfires and illuminations, there are plenty of ways to celebrate a festive Fourth of July (see related story, page 1).