Vidalia — This year’s dry conditions have Miss-Lou law enforcement officials warning patriots to be especially careful using pyrotechnics during Fourth of July festivities.

Concordia Parish Police Jury President Melvin Ferrington said despite a statewide burn ban issued June 1, parish residents will be allow to shoot fireworks under extreme caution.

“People need to be especially cautious (because) the ground is still in drought mode until a substantial amount of rain (falls),” Ferrington said. “It’s going to be very dry.”

Ferrington said he, the fire chief and fire marshal made the decision to allow the Independence Day tradition to resume after the parish soaked up a little bit of rain Wednesday.

“People should be very particular about where they shoot (fireworks) and be very cautious,” Ferrington said.

Fireworks are also allowed in the cities of Vidalia, Ferriday, Natchez and in Adams County.

Emergency Management Director Stan Owens said dry conditions have very nearly required a burn ban in Adams County, but the county is not under one at the time.

“(Residents) need to be very careful with fireworks and have a water supply (on hand), because everything is very, very dry,” Owens said.

The near drought calls for more caution operating fireworks than usual safety measures, Owens said.

Natchez Police Department, Adams County Sheriff’s Office, Vidalia Police Department and Ferriday Police Department officials said their officers will respond to every complaint they receive for fireworks.

After a warning is given, citations will be issued if complaints persist.

Mullins said his officers will issue a $200 fine for a noise violations for those who do not heed warnings.

Residents should not shoot fireworks after 10 p.m. in Adams County and in Ferriday, said Mayfield and FPD assistant chief Johnny Evans, respectively.

Natchez-Adams County and Concordia Parish will also have more sheriff deputies patrolling the roads and waterways during the holiday.

Mullins said more NPD officers than usual will be patrolling for speeding and DUI violations during the holiday weekend. A traffic safety grant will pay the extra officers overtime to allow more eyes on the road, he said.

The annual Lake St. John Flotilla is set for Saturday, bringing extra highway and boating traffic to the parish on that date, as well as on the Fourth.

“We’ll definitely have extra patrols around the parish on Monday, the Fourth of July, and all through the long holiday weekend,” Sheriff Randy Maxwell said.

“One accident is too many. There’ll be people driving, boating and swimming all weekend; so we all have to watch out for one another and remember that the top safety hazards are speed and alcohol — whether it’s involving a boat, car or truck.”

Maxwell said deputies will also be on the look out for seat belt violations.

“We are going to be out in force buckling down on those who are not buckling up,” Maxwell said.