A state of emergency throughout Huntington County - which prohibits both the use of fireworks and the burning of any materials - remains in effect through Friday, July 6.

Community fireworks displays in Huntington, Roanoke and Warren were canceled this week because of concerns that setting off the pyrotechnics during the exceedingly dry conditions could start fires.

The use of fireworks by individuals is also prohibited, says Brian Topp, interim director of the Huntington County Emergency Management Agency.

A previous burn ban imposed by Huntington County officials did not include fireworks because a state law sets specific times and dates when fireworks can be set off. The state law says that local communities cannot set stricter regulations than the state allows.

But last Friday, June 29, then Huntington County Commissioners declared a state of emergency because of the drought conditions. That declaration means that fireworks can be prohibited, Topp says.

"The state of emergency supersedes the state law," Topp explains. "We declared a state of emergency due to the drought conditions, and that's what we're using."

The ban covers all of Huntington County, including the cities and towns in the county.

In addition to fireworks, the commissioners' emergency declaration also bans campfires, bonfires, unpermitted controlled burns, burning of yard and household trash, burning of construction debris and burning of organic debris.

It also prohibits discarding unextinguished smoking materials of any kind on the ground or not within an enclosed fireproof receptacle.

In addition, the declaration prohibits non-commercial burning of material other than for religious or ceremonial purposes which is not contained in a barbecue grill and total fuel area does not exceed three feet in diameter and two feet in height.

The ban will be reevaluated on July 6.