While many Arizonans will be ringing in 2021 with celebratory fireworks, the Scottsdale Fire Department urges caution while ushering in the new year.

Michael Bolinger, a paramedic and captain of the Scottsdale Fire Department, says reckless or improper use of fireworks can lead to brush fires, citing several instances just from this year. 

“Information that we were getting was that, from the call-takers, was that children or even adults were seen lighting fireworks in a desert. Now there’s a brushfire and they had since left the scene.”

Bolinger added that there are some restrictions regarding fireworks as well, like not being able to light fireworks within a mile of locations considered to be fragile desert areas.