Drought forces several towns to postpone fireworks

ALBION, Ind. (AP) -- Severe drought has caused several Northeast Indiana towns to postpone or cancel fireworks displays this year.

The Indiana Dept. of Home Land Security has compiled a list of fireworks restrictions county-by-county .

Allen County has banned the unpermited use of fireworks as part of the county-wide burn ban.

The fireworks at Parkview Field are still a go since leaders have a state permit and the field is in good condition.

IPFW plans to shoot off its large fireworks show scheduled for July 4 at about 10:15 since it also has a state permit.  Leaders at IPFW said extra fire crews will be on scene.  No personal fireworks are allowed while people watch the show.  They say they're trying to encourage people to come watch the professional show, instead of having their own personal display in their backyard.

The following have reported canceling or postponing their fireworks displays:

Albion - The Albion town council made the decision that the fireworks display would be delayed until Labor Day weekend.

Angola - The city of Angola decided to postpone fireworks due to the extreme heat forecasted for the 4th of July. Other activities will still be held at the park as well as the parade at 11 a.m.

Auburn - Auburn announced on Tuesday that the city's fireworks show is canceled. There are no plans to reschedule.

Avilla - Fireworks will be delayed until the burn ban is lifted or conditions are considered suitable.

Blackford County -  The fireworks displays for the Fourth of July are canceled.

Columbia City - Fireworks will be postponed to a later date not yet known.

Garrett - Other activities scheduled for the Fourth of July will go ahead as scheduled but the fireworks are canceled. Fireworks may be rescheduled for a later date.

Kendallville  - The Fireworks display at Bixler Lake on July 4 has been canceled. Family activities planned on the lake for the Fourth of July will still go ahead as planned from 4 p.m. until 9:30 p.m.

Roann - The fireworks show scheduled for Saturday, July 3 at the tractor pull slip has also been postponed. They hope to reschedule the show for the Covered Bridge Festival scheduled for Sept. 6 - 9.  County -  The fireworks displays for the Fourth of July are canceled.

Rome City - The fourth of July display will be postponed until Saturday Sept. 1, with a rain date on Sunday Sept. 2.

Salamonie - The fireworks display for the Salamonie Summer Festival has been canceled. They have not been rescheduled.

Topkea - Officials said other activities scheduled for the Fourth of July will go ahead as scheduled but the fireworks are canceled. Fireworks may be rescheduled for a later date.

Wabash - Fireworks are canceled due to the drought.

Wolcottville - Officials said other activities scheduled for the Fourth of July will go ahead as scheduled but the fireworks are canceled. Fireworks may be rescheduled for a later date.Wolcottville

A quarter of Indiana is now considered to be in an extreme drought . Fort Wayne would need to receive more than eight inches of rain to catch up to the annual rainfall average.

More than 80 counties throughout Indiana are currently under burn bans.

Allen County extended the county's burn ban and prohibited fireworks on Friday.