Smyrna became the latest Rutherford County city to ban the use of private fireworks this Fourth of July.

“The Town of Smyrna ordinarily allows the use of fireworks during the Fourth of July season. However, the Town has temporarily banned open burning and is experiencing extremely dry conditions as a result of record setting heat and a lack of rainfall which has raised the risk of fires within the municipality,” Mayor Tony Dover wrote in an order signed Monday morning.

Smyrna Fire Chief Bill Culbertson and Fire Code Official Steve Smith decided the heat wave and drought conditions throughout the mid-state represent “hazardous conditions” and increase the chance of accidental fires can result from the use of private fireworks.

“Therefore, the discharge of fireworks is prohibited until such time as the hazardous conditions may cease to exist,” Dover said.

Citizens are encouraged to attend the approved public display of fireworks by the Town of Smyrna at 9 p.m. July 3 at the Lee Victory Recreation Park.

Beginning at 5 p.m. at the Rec Park, located at 102 Sam Ridley Parkway, kids can play on the inflatable playgrounds and everyone will have a chance to see the Blackhawk helicopter which will be on display.

Bring a picnic lunch or buy from any of the on-site concessions and enjoy live music from Stretta. Then get ready for one of Smyrna’s highlights of the year, the annual Fireworks show. A flyover by a Blackhawk helicopter will take place just before the Fireworks Show which is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m.

The following roads will be closed between 8:45-9:30 p.m. due to the fireworks show: Sam Ridley at Fitzhugh Boulevard , Sam Ridley at Nolan Drive, Sam Ridley at Threet Industrial Road and Sam Ridley, west of Nolan Drive.