Firework sales down during Fourth of July season

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) -  Firework store owners saw a decrease in sales this year.  Many owners said burn bans played a role in sales.  County officials in all northern Indiana counties declared burn bans back in June as most of Indiana was going through a severe drought.

People took the ban seriously and many didn’t buy fireworks this year.

Kayla Murphy and Joshua Porter typically buy fireworks around Independence Day, but didn’t this year.

“For one because of the burn ban and it’s been too hot. We would rather just go somewhere else and watch them, where they are lighting them off legally."

“I didn’t want a ticket,” said Porter.

On June 29, Allen County Commissioners declared Allen County under a burn ban until further notice .  The burn ban includes fireworks, unless you have a permit from the state.  Indiana’s fireworks law says people are allowed to shoot off fireworks between June 29 and July 9.

A debate then ensued, on whether burn bans could prohibit the use of fireworks.

Allen County Commissioner, Nelson Peters told NewsChannel 15 on June 29 the county does have legal authority to override state law in a state of emergency.

“We believe and we've vetted through our legal counsel that the position we've taken is the correct position and that we do indeed have legal authority to establish this burn ban which includes the prohibition of fireworks,” said Peters.

NewsChannel 15 went to the USA Fireworks store at Illinois and Hillegas roads on June 29 and found no customers.   We found the same thing Sunday while at the same store.  The manager at that location said sales are down quite a bit this year.

"I'm down about just under $60,000 in sales than what I did last year,” said Michael Hensley, USA Fireworks Franchise Manager.

Hensley said he spoke with other owners in the area.  Some could lose as much as $100,000.

Hensley blames the burn ban and confusion that came with it for the dramatic drop in sales.

“If I see a dozen customers today, it would be twice as many as I've seen since the fourth,” said Hensley.

Hensley marked everything in his store down to sell Sunday.  His last day of business was Sunday.

Many other firework stores across Fort Wayne were doing the same thing.  NewsChannel 15 went to seven fireworks stores across Fort Wayne Sunday, six of them had signs saying they were open, but the doors were locked. 

Hensley said his sales should be back to normal next year, if the weather cooperates.