We Didn't Start the Fire (but the ATF blamed us anyway)

It comes as no surprise that every year on the 4th of July, fireworks are bought and set off in colorful displays in celebration. You may be more surprised to know that fireworks are legal in 46 states with varying restrictions depending on the state. By fireworks, we mean things that don't require a permit - like bottle rockets, sparklers, and roman candles. In most states the larger explosives used for professional displays require a permit, which should be no surprise as starting an unintentional fire would be relatively easy, especially displays near large urban settings or dry rural settings. The states with the most strict fireworks laws are Massachusetts, Ohio, Illinois, and Maine. In the state of Massachusetts, it is illegal for anyone in the state to buy, sell, or possess any form of firework. If you're caught with a firework it is unlikely that you will be arrested, but you'll probably end up with a fine. In Ohio, anything more powerful than a sparkler is banned - and even to purchase a sparkler you must be 18 or older. Again, if you are caught with anything above a sparkler, you'll end up with a fine. Illinois has very similar rules to Ohio. Maine has very similar rules to the two previously mentioned states, but the age is higher and consumers cannot purchase fireworks until they reach the age of 21. Fireworks are one of those weird things, because like guns, they are regulated by the ATF to some degree. According to the ATF, most states "consider devices such as M-80s, M-100s, quarter sticks, cherry bombs, silver salutes, etc., to be illegal because they exceed the Consumer Product Safety Commission's (CPSC) limits for consumer fireworks, in addition to being banned by many states. These devices meet no safety standards and often have a coating of dangerous explosive dust. Friction, heat, or being bumped can cause these devices to detonate. The US Department of Transportation has classed these items as 'forbidden explosives' because they have not been submitted for appropriate testing and evaluation."

Speaking of explosives, the Gulf of Mexico is on fire again. No, it wasn't fireworks. On Friday, July 2, 2021, the ocean was on fire yet again as a gas leak broke out of an underwater pipeline, causing flames to boil up to the Gulf of Mexico's surface. The gas started leaking from the pipeline in the Campeche Sound early on Friday morning according to Pemex, the company that owns the pipeline. Pemex claimed in its statement that the incident was dealt with immediately after security protocols were activated, and firefighting vessels were sent to contain the fire. Normal operating conditions resumed before noon on Friday after interconnection valves were closed and the fire was extinguished. Pemex reported no injuries or evacuees, and said that it will investigate what happened. It may come as no surprise that Pemex has a history of major industrial accidents, but what may be shocking is that according to the Pemex website, the company operates 81 drilling rigs, including 11 that are offshore. There were at least two additional leaks reported earlier this year, but Pemex has not had a major event since January of 2019 when a fuel pipeline in Tlauhuelilpan, Hidalgo exploded, killing dozens of people who were gathered around an illegal pipe drain to get fuel. Following the incident, Pemex stated that the pipeline had been breached 10 times over three months that year.