Hi everyone,
I'm both happy and surprised to report that our city council had an emergency meeting today about fireworks and the current fire danger, and agreed to a partial ban. A city wide ban would make even more sense, but they did ban them on the side of town where I live. The hills where I like to walk are convoluted and forested, and are a major fire hazard right now, so that's the area that is the biggest cause for concern. I live a few blocks from that area, but am still within the ban zone. I don't know how they'll be able to enforce it, but I am definitely relieved.
I appreciate all of the commiseration I got from all of you.