Planning to shoot your own fireworks this weekend?

Don't, cautions Columbia County Emergency Services Director Pam Tucker.

Drought conditions have made the area a tinder box, and the smallest sparkler could ignite a major blaze, according to the Georgia Forestry Commission.

"We've seen what's happened in south Georgia, and we've even had the smoke here from those fires," she said. "And we're just too dry to risk it. Even the smallest fireworks that people may think may be harmless, if they land in an area, they could start a fire, things are so dry."

If you do plan to light your own home display, Richmond and South Carolina officials are urging caution.

Richmond County's interim Fire Marshal Lt. G.B. Hannan said people should obey local laws and be sure to keep a bucket of water nearby.

"When all else fails, just use common sense," Lt. Hannan said.

Phil Napier, the Graniteville-Vaucluse-Warrenville fire chief, said people should pay special mind where they are lighting their fireworks.

"Be cautious of where you shoot them. Go away from wooded areas or pine straw," he said.