The governor has asked Californians not to buy fireworks, even the legal kind, this Fourth of July holiday. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger made the request as he surveyed damage done by a 20,000-acre wild fire south of Monterey.

MONTEREY COUNTY, CA - With hundreds of wildfires raging around the state, Gov. Schwarzenegger Wednesday urged Californians not to buy or use fireworks this July Fourth holiday.

After a meeting with fire officials Wednesday morning at the Basin Complex fire command post in Monterey County, Schwarzenegger made the unusual recommendation to help firefighters battling to control about 700 wildfires that continued to burn statewide following weekend lightning storms.

“I know that the people that are selling all this stuff are going to go crazy now when I say this, but don’t buy fireworks,” Schwarzenegger said. “You will help the fire department and the state and law enforcement and everyone a tremendous amount if you want to contribute and make sure those fires go away and we don’t have more fires coming up,

“Be careful,” he continued. “Don’t buy the fireworks. Don’t go out and play with fireworks because its just too dry and too dangerous to do these things.”

I would be very surprised if the Governor did not just open himself and the state up to countless lawsuits. He just told the public, many of which will listen, and not buy fireworks. Resulting in tens of thousands of dollars in lost revenues for many local charities and community organizations.

Groups Fear Loss of Fireworks Income

Meanwhile, many school, civic and other groups and charities who depend on fireworks sales each year to keep their organizations running were concerned about the governor’s request.

“We can make $3,000, $4,000, up to $5,000 a year. It’s a huge chunk of change for us,” said Modesto High School football coach Rod Long.

Long said the money from fireworks sales pays for about half of the school’s uniform and equipment needs.

With actual sales starting Saturday, fireworks stands began popping up all over the city of Modesto Wednesday. Modesto High’s football stand won’t open until July 1.”It’s a good way for us to make good money in a short period of time,” said Long.

Kim Miller is a booster for the high school’s sports programs. The cheerleader squad and baseball team have booths as well this summer.

“It makes a huge difference,” said Kim Miller, a booster of the school’s various sports programs. “There are no funds available in public school for sports. Every little bit helps. We need to find money for these kids to play sports.” In addition to the football booth, Miller said Modesto High’s cheerleading squad and baseball team also had fireworks booth fundraisers planned this summer.

Both of my rugrats are in Little League, of which the sale of LEGAL fireworks are an essential part of being able to afford uniforms, fields, permits, and countless other items.

I find this call by our governor ludicrous. Be safe and responsible, but enjoy your Fourth of July, the American way…

Check it out this great video on our current gas situation.  It’s of a political nature, but I wanted to show it here as well.