
                         THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
                 Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, June 25, 1994                    TAG: 9406250195 
SECTION: LOCAL                     PAGE: B4    EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA  
SOURCE: STAFF REPORT 
DATELINE: 940625                                 LENGTH: Short

FIREWORKS STILL ILLEGAL IN PARKS IN OUTER BANKS

{LEAD} Although a 1993 law permits certain fireworks to be bought, sold, possessed or used in most parts of the state, it is illegal to set them off in national parks on the Outer Banks.

Acting National Park Service chief ranger Mike Anderson said that passage of the law has led some people to believe they can use Class C fireworks anywhere in the state.

{REST} All fireworks are prohibited in the parks because of the possibility of fire.

Anyone caught using fireworks at the Wright Brothers National Memorial, the Fort Raleigh National Historical Site or the Cape Hatteras National Seashore (from the south end of Nags Head Village to Ocracoke) may be subject to a $500 fine and six months in jail.

``We can't have signs up every 50 feet that say fireworks are illegal,'' Anderson said. ``If the grass gets set on fire in proximity to the beach houses with the cedar siding and such, you can imagine how it would be a fire hazard, especially with the winds.''

In areas of the state where fireworks are permitted, the types made legal last year include sparklers and other types of non-projecting displays, known as Class C fireworks, Anderson said.

Firecrackers, rockets and Roman candles are prohibited statewide, he said.

Park rangers and firefighters will patrol the beach over the Fourth of July weekend to enforce the regulations.

For more information, call Anderson at 919-473-2111, Ext. 138. by CNB