What severe drought persists in the southwestern US, cities are making tough decisions about their traditional fireworks displays. Some cities have decided to cancel their firework displays, while others have chosen to continue with them.
Dry vegetation and lack of rain have caused a mega-drought for more than 75% from the West and parts of the central US, including Colorado. Now, first responders and other officials are warning the public about the risk of Fourth of July fireworks.
“Specific areas that are particularly vulnerable range from Oregon to Mexico. All of California is vulnerable,” said Cal Fire Battalion Chief John Heggie, given the current drought and warm temperatures.
An estimated 19,500 fires were started by fireworks in 2018, according to the National Fire Protection Association. And nearly 30% of fires caused by fireworks are ignited on July 4, based on annual averages from 2014 to 2018.
Additionally, a CNN analysis of National Interagency Fire Center The data shows a big spike in new wildfires over the past eight years around the Fourth of July holiday.
Fire patrols will be in place to seize illegal fireworks and there will be zero tolerance, Heggie added.
A COLORADO CITY WILL CONTINUE ITS SHOW
While some areas are canceling their shows, one city in Colorado is choosing to keep the tradition going.
Louisville, Colorado, a city northwest of Denver, hopes to continue its fireworks show in an effort to prevent wildfires. the city website he noted that he hopes to “reduce the number of illegal private shows” with his exhibit, which is actively monitored by the fire department.
Six months ago, the marshall fire devastated parts of Boulder County, including Louisville. Burning more than 6,000 acres, the fire has reached the golf course where the city will hold its fireworks display on Monday.
“In fact, we have scaled back the fireworks display this year to focus on the community experience leading up to the fireworks,” the city of Louisville’s website noted. “The celebration is intended to be inclusive and welcoming to the entire community as we heal from the Marshall Fire together.”
On the south side of Denver, another city decided to cancel its fireworks show due to ongoing wildfire danger. Castle Rock, Colo., has been under Stage 1 Fire Restrictions since April. Castle Rock Fire Chief Norris Croom said the spectacle was not worth the risk.
“We didn’t want to jeopardize the safety of our community due to errant fireworks or falling debris,” Croom stressed.
More than half of Colorado is experiencing drought, which makes the environment very sensitive to wildfires. Only professional and licensed fireworks displays are allowed in the state, and all other fireworks are considered illegal.
CALIFORNIA OFFICIALS WARN OF DANGERS OF FIREWORKS
Another town affected by recent wildfires is choosing to do something radically different.
North Lake Tahoe, which ran through the heat fire in 2021, it will skip the fireworks in favor of a drone light display.
“The decision was made with the fire and environmental risks posed by a pyrotechnic fireworks display in mind, changing a long-standing tradition with an innovative new approach.” a liberation of the city Announced.
However, a traditional fireworks display will continue as planned in South Lake Tahoe, an area evacuated in August due to the Caldor Fire.
Claremont, California, a suburb on the eastern edge of Los Angeles, is replacing its fireworks show with a free community concert. The city explained in a Press release water restrictions due to the ongoing drought played a significant role in their decision to cancel.
“Preparation for the fireworks show requires extensive watering in the days leading up to the show, representing approximately 650,000 gallons of water,” the press release stated.
With a hot and dry holiday weekend ahead, California officials are reminding residents of the state’s vulnerability to wildfires, given the ongoing drought.
“The reality is that every year we have wildfires caused by legal and illegal fireworks,” Heggie acknowledged.
Heggie’s biggest concern is small explosives like bottle rockets and roman candles, and people using “safe and sane” fireworks in areas where they are illegal.
He warned: “Please understand that your good intentions can have devastating effects.”
Pacific Electric and Gas Company it also asks patrons to “put safety first” and to follow local rules and regulations regarding fireworks.
NEW MEXICO GOVERNOR SIGNS EXECUTIVE ORDER TO BAN FIREWORKS
New Mexico Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham signed a executive order in late April, it urged counties, cities and local governments to consider banning certain fireworks due to “severe drought and fire conditions” across the state.
and how he largest wildfire in New Mexico history continues to burn, cities like Albuquerque hope to avoid further devastation.
“Albuquerque has a unique wild urban interface with areas of open space that are under constant fire threat,” said the city fireworks ordinance indicated. “These fires would endanger the lives of those who live nearby and many species of wildlife.”
The city has banned open space fireworks but has allowed fireworks to be purchased at retail stores and stalls within city limits.
“Read the warning label. If it says ‘WARNING,’ it’s illegal. If it says ‘CAUTION,’ it’s legal.” says the fireworks ordinance.
Albuquerque has already begun patrolling throughout the city ahead of the holidays. The city warns that “those who are caught will be cited and will have a mandatory court appearance.”
Albuquerque will remain free fourth freedom show on the 4th of July, which includes professional fireworks.
LASER LIGHTS INSTEAD OF FIREWORKS
In lieu of its traditional fireworks display, Salt Lake City, Utah, is hosting a laser light night twice in July.
Lynze Twede, event manager for Salt Lake City Public Lands, said the city council voted to change funding for a fireworks show to an “alternate event” earlier this year.
“[The city council] I wanted to make a change and try to be an example to improve our air quality and not contribute to the already high fire danger,” Twede said.
Salt Lake City hopes to captivate its audience and entertain people of all ages with the transition to a laser light display taking place July 2-23.
“People can still come and expect to see an impressive show. But with this innovative new way, we’re lighting up our skies a little differently this year,” added Twede.
Much of western Utah, including Salt Lake City, is under a red flag warning Saturday through Monday “for wind and low relative humidity,” according to the National Weather Service office in Salt Lake City.
Strong southerly winds of 20 to 30 mph with wind gusts to 45 mph are forecast Sunday and Monday afternoon and evening. Winds are expected to decrease during the overnight hours.
And in all of Arizona, the Pipeline Fire recently forced hundreds of Flagstaffs residents to evacuate. The fire is mostly contained, but Flagstaff’s burn risk remains.
To continue its city’s annual celebration, Flagstaff hopes to have a safe event using a new laser light show in its historic center.
“Shifting from traditional fireworks to a laser light show was the responsible action to take due to the extreme fire risk with the hot, dry conditions in the Northland,” said Flagstaff City Manager Greg Clifton. “It is extremely important to have a safe celebration and to be aware of the fires.”
The United States Forest Service Advised fire bans may vary from location to location, so it is important to research local fire bans.
The Arizona-New Mexico border can expect scattered thunderstorms over the holiday weekend due to the southwest monsoon, which has slightly improved drought conditions in the two states, but the summer prospects throughout the west it still seems hot and dry.