IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM THE FIRE DEPARTMENT

With the Town hosting the New Years Eve celebration and fireworks tomorrow night, we hope that everyone has had a great year, and has a great time. We also want you to understand that although the Town is sponsoring the fireworks, that personal fireworks are still illegal.  We certainly do not want to limit the good time you have bringing in the new year, but want to bring awareness to the law, issues, and problems over the last few years:

 

N.C. General Statute 14-410 regulates the manufacture, sale, and use of pyrotechnics which are prohibited unless you have a license to exhibit, use, handle or discharge in connection with a concert or public exhibition having been licensed under Article 82A of Chapter 58 of General Statutes. 

 

We have experienced dune fires every year for the last few years. The last three years we have had trash fires on the beach. This July, the gazebo at the Joe Eakes park caught on fire due to discarded fireworks in the trash can beside the structure. Two years ago, a trash fire almost required an attack line with hoses through a HOA entrance. There is danger of fires spreading through the dunes and into homes. Injuries In the last four years we have had two injuries reported: one person sitting with her 3 year old child was hit in the face and eye on a misfire requiring transport to the hospital; the other injury did not require transport to the hospital. 

 

Atlantic Beach just had a large dunes fire that started from setting off fireworks in the dunes that can be viewed here: https://www.wnct.com/video/contributed-video-fire-started-by-fireworks-in-atlantic-beach/9290576/

 

Although handled by the police, they have historical written citations for the individuals that they could identify as leaving litter all over the beach for the Public Works team and lifeguards to clear.

 

Thanks in advance for helping with this issue and we hope everyone has an amazing 2024!