Firework sales begin, can be lit starting Sunday

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - The Fourth of July is creeping up quick, and that means several vendors like Desert Sky Fireworks on Cortaro and I-10 are getting ready for the season. Many of them setting up shop on Friday.

"Lining them all up on the road -- lighting them all up and competing with the neighbors," said Ashley Walling, who runs the shop.

Fireworks sparked her interest at an early age. She started selling them when she was sixteen in Texas.

Now for the last six years she's rekindled that spark, and turned it into booming business.

She set up on Friday for the first day of sales and to share her love for the Fourth of July.

"The freedom. That has to be the number one reason to celebrate," she said.

With that comes the freedom to light up the night -- safely of course.

Fireworks that shoot up in the sky are always a no go, but ground fireworks can be used starting on Sunday.

Captain Brian Keeley with the Northwest Fire Department told Tucson News Now one of the most common mistakes people make is setting them off without enough space.

Keeley said, "You accidentally start a fire because you've done it around some sort of vegetation or even by a home."

It's something we've seen before, especially with dry conditions... and something fire officials hope not to see.

Walling knows the same.

She knows safety is a priority, pointing it out while showing TNN what products her tent has to offer.

"It's a giant sparkler, so it's only going to reach up to here for safety reasons."

She left us with a message she hopes her customers can think about this summer.

"Have fun and be safe."

These are some good reminders when lighting off fireworks. You'll want to light them on a flat level area, on asphalt or concrete with plenty of space, and keep a bucket of water nearby to put them out in.