Wildfires have been raging for over two months in Australia, with New South Wales being severely affected. Sydney, the capital of NSW, puts on an annual world-famous New Year’s Eve fireworks show, and it seems they are still planning on this, even though it’s maybe not the best idea in extreme fire weather.
https://www.cnn.com/2019/12/29/asia/sydney-new-year-fireworks-intl/index.html
Arguments for the display are along the lines of ‘it’s world famous’, ‘it needs to go on to show the world we are still an amazing place’, ‘tourists would have their plans cancelled’, and ‘the money’s already spent anyway’ (and there is something to showing the world you can celebrate in spite of difficulties, etc.).
Arguments against are more along the lines of ‘our firefighters are exhausted’, ‘we’re already blanketed in smoke’, and really, why tempt fate?
I guess I can see the business aspect of continuing the show, but is it really a good idea? Fireworks shows are quick to be cancelled in some areas of the US when the hazards outweigh the risks (like the 4th of July); is this any different?
Have you not seen the amazing fireworks display going on in Mallacoota?
Oooooh. Aaaaaaah.