With no firecracker permits being sold on Maui this year and light winds helping out, the Maui fire department reported a 72 percent drop in fireworks-relate fires over the past 4th of July weekend.

Maui fire captain Val Martin said today that only five of the 85 fires reported over the extended weekend were fireworks related compared to 18 last year.

"I'm pleased that the weather cooperated with light winds this year, and that the two public fireworks displays in Lahaina and on Lanai went off without a hitch," said Martin, who serves as Assistant Fire Marshall at the department's Fire Prevention Bureau. "I hope everyone can continue to exercise caution in the coming New Year's celebrations by enjoying fireworks responsibly."