WENATCHEE — More fireworks stands are closing as a result of widespread fireworks bans, tinder-dry fire conditions, and some outward community concern for fire safety.

Throngs of Independence Day revelers would normally be lining up this time of year to buy their annual dose of sparklers, rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers.

But tents and trailers offering fireworks for sale are either closed or shy of business this year. Those that are open have had far fewer sales than their proprietors have had harassments. The only flag waving seen, they say, is with middle fingers.

As a result, several more stands agreed to close Wednesday afternoon.

“With everything going on, and in the name of fire safety, TNT is voluntarily deciding to let local organizations shut down. It’s the right thing to do,” said Greg Burger, an area manager assistant for TNT Fireworks. The company provides fireworks, often a tent and insurance to organizations and individuals who want a share of the profits, often for local fundraisers.

The change is a response to the devastating loss of homes during the Sleepy Hollow Fire, widespread firework bans and tinder dry fire conditions throughout the region.

Several fireworks stands previously decided not to open. The Church of the Nazarene, the Wenatchee Valley Appleaires and the Douglas County Republicans earlier decided not to open stands in East Wenatchee. The new TNT decision will close four stands in Wenatchee and two others in East Wenatchee.

Most of the stands that remained open were run by organizations bound by contract. Sales at the stands had been far from sparkling.

Wenatchee Eagles had one such stand near the organization’s auxiliary hall at 1202 N. Wenatchee Ave. They planned to open another stand today at Coastal Farm & Home in East Wenatchee.

Eagles member Dena Saylor said the group signed a contract with TNT Fireworks last October. Saylor said the Eagles used profits from last year’s sales to pay organizational property taxes and to give to local charities. One was to help fire victims from last year’s Carlton Complex fires.

Member Christine Farley said the Wenatchee stand had only nine sales in the first two days they’ve been open.

“But we’re getting harassed quite a bit. A couple of people seemed really over the edge. I didn’t know what they were going to do,” she said.

Farley and Saylor said they weren’t forcing anyone to buy fireworks. They told them they can’t shoot them off in Wenatchee and most parts of Chelan County and to be cautious if they did. Burger, the TNT assistant stopped by Tuesday at the same time as a Chelan County fire marshal, and that’s when an agreement was made to shut down, Farley said.

WENATCHEE — More fireworks stands are closing as a result of widespread fireworks bans, tinder-dry fire conditions, and some outward community concern for fire safety.

Throngs of Independence Day revelers would normally be lining up this time of year to buy their annual dose of sparklers, rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers.

But tents and trailers offering fireworks for sale are either closed or shy of business this year. Those that are open have had far fewer sales than their proprietors have had harassments. The only flag waving seen, they say, is with middle fingers.

As a result, several more stands agreed to close Wednesday afternoon.

“With everything going on, and in the name of fire safety, TNT is voluntarily deciding to let local organizations shut down. It’s the right thing to do,” said Greg Burger, an area manager assistant for TNT Fireworks. The company provides fireworks, often a tent and insurance to organizations and individuals who want a share of the profits, often for local fundraisers.

The change is a response to the devastating loss of homes during the Sleepy Hollow Fire, widespread firework bans and tinder dry fire conditions throughout the region.

Several fireworks stands previously decided not to open. The Church of the Nazarene, the Wenatchee Valley Appleaires and the Douglas County Republicans earlier decided not to open stands in East Wenatchee. The new TNT decision will close four stands in Wenatchee and two others in East Wenatchee.

Most of the stands that remained open were run by organizations bound by contract. Sales at the stands had been far from sparkling.

Wenatchee Eagles had one such stand near the organization’s auxiliary hall at 1202 N. Wenatchee Ave. They planned to open another stand today at Coastal Farm & Home in East Wenatchee.

Eagles member Dena Saylor said the group signed a contract with TNT Fireworks last October. Saylor said the Eagles used profits from last year’s sales to pay organizational property taxes and to give to local charities. One was to help fire victims from last year’s Carlton Complex fires.

Member Christine Farley said the Wenatchee stand had only nine sales in the first two days they’ve been open.

“But we’re getting harassed quite a bit. A couple of people seemed really over the edge. I didn’t know what they were going to do,” she said.

Farley and Saylor said they weren’t forcing anyone to buy fireworks. They told them they can’t shoot them off in Wenatchee and most parts of Chelan County and to be cautious if they did. Burger, the TNT assistant stopped by Tuesday at the same time as a Chelan County fire marshal, and that’s when an agreement was made to shut down, Farley said.

“We are telling them about the fireworks show at the park and set them off New Year’s Eve,” Farley said about her few customers. “But when people come in and start yelling and screaming at us, that’s not cool. It’s not like we don’t care about fire victims. We do.”

WENATCHEE — More fireworks stands are closing as a result of widespread fireworks bans, tinder-dry fire conditions, and some outward community concern for fire safety.

Throngs of Independence Day revelers would normally be lining up this time of year to buy their annual dose of sparklers, rockets, Roman candles and firecrackers.

But tents and trailers offering fireworks for sale are either closed or shy of business this year. Those that are open have had far fewer sales than their proprietors have had harassments. The only flag waving seen, they say, is with middle fingers.

As a result, several more stands agreed to close Wednesday afternoon.

“With everything going on, and in the name of fire safety, TNT is voluntarily deciding to let local organizations shut down. It’s the right thing to do,” said Greg Burger, an area manager assistant for TNT Fireworks. The company provides fireworks, often a tent and insurance to organizations and individuals who want a share of the profits, often for local fundraisers.

The change is a response to the devastating loss of homes during the Sleepy Hollow Fire, widespread firework bans and tinder dry fire conditions throughout the region.

Several fireworks stands previously decided not to open. The Church of the Nazarene, the Wenatchee Valley Appleaires and the Douglas County Republicans earlier decided not to open stands in East Wenatchee. The new TNT decision will close four stands in Wenatchee and two others in East Wenatchee.

Most of the stands that remained open were run by organizations bound by contract. Sales at the stands had been far from sparkling.

Wenatchee Eagles had one such stand near the organization’s auxiliary hall at 1202 N. Wenatchee Ave. They planned to open another stand today at Coastal Farm & Home in East Wenatchee.

Eagles member Dena Saylor said the group signed a contract with TNT Fireworks last October. Saylor said the Eagles used profits from last year’s sales to pay organizational property taxes and to give to local charities. One was to help fire victims from last year’s Carlton Complex fires.

Member Christine Farley said the Wenatchee stand had only nine sales in the first two days they’ve been open.

“But we’re getting harassed quite a bit. A couple of people seemed really over the edge. I didn’t know what they were going to do,” she said.

Farley and Saylor said they weren’t forcing anyone to buy fireworks. They told them they can’t shoot them off in Wenatchee and most parts of Chelan County and to be cautious if they did. Burger, the TNT assistant stopped by Tuesday at the same time as a Chelan County fire marshal, and that’s when an agreement was made to shut down, Farley said.

“We are telling them about the fireworks show at the park and set them off New Year’s Eve,” Farley said about her few customers. “But when people come in and start yelling and screaming at us, that’s not cool. It’s not like we don’t care about fire victims. We do.”