The town of Bayfield still plans to hold an official Fourth of July fireworks show this year – one of few across Southwest Colorado not canceled amid heavy wildfire activity and widespread fire bans. Still, town officials are being clear that setting off personal fireworks will have consequences.
Silverton, Ouray, Durango and Pagosa Springs have all canceled their own fireworks displays this Fourth of July – some for the first time in years – amid an especially fire-heavy season, citing drought, fire bans and safety concerns.
Cortez’s Fourth of July fireworks show was still on as of Thursday.
According to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control, 15 wildfires were active across the state as of Wednesday, including the Gold Mountain Fire near Ouray and the Ferris Fire northwest of Dolores.
Planned precautions and justifications for not canceling the Bayfield show, which is scheduled to take place 9 p.m. Saturday at Joe Stephenson Park, were laid out in a Facebook post published Tuesday by the Upper Pine River Fire Protection District.
The post described many safety measures being instituted surrounding the show, including plans to mow and wet the grass in the area ahead of the show; place safety equipment and pre-plumbed hose lines nearby; have third tier resources on standby in a reserve area, including via the U.S. Forest Service; and institute coordination surrounding fuel reduction with private property owners east of the Pine River Senior Center.
Bayfield’s largely flat terrain is a less dangerous locale for a fireworks show than some of the more mountainous communities nearby that have canceled their displays, the post said.
Upper Pine Fire Chief Bruce Evans said the reaction from residents has been mixed, with roughly 70% in favor of seeing the show go on, from his perspective.
The post mentioned Evans having attempted to respond to all concerned residents individually prior to publishing the post – except those who yelled or were “not civil for a discussion.”
Evans said the show will be shut down if winds exceed 7 mph, but that the weather outlook as of Thursday was promising.
National Weather Service Meteorologist Brianna Bealo told The Durango Herald the July 4 forecast in Bayfield is projected to be dry and hot with a lack of moisture and humidity, but that winds will be much more relaxed throughout the day than they have been in recent days – around 10 mph generally, with 20 mph gusts here and there. Wind is expected to die down almost completely after nightfall, she said.
If a professional fireworks show is not held, residents will be more likely to turn to illegally setting off personal fireworks with less risk mitigation in place, Evans said.
“Of course what’s going to happen is people are going to drive down (to New Mexico), they’re going to buy their own fireworks,” he said. “Because they’re bound and determined that it’s the Fourth of July, and it’s (America’s) 250th birthday, (and) they’re going to shoot off their fireworks.”
Though the official show is still on, a strict “no tolerance” personal fireworks policy is in place, he said, that will mean a $750 fine and court prosecutions for anyone who sets off personal fireworks.
The fire department is aiming to avoid residents accidentally starting multitudes of small fires in residential or public areas, he said.
“We want everybody to come to the Bayfield show and not fire off their own fireworks, maybe save them for Heritage Days when … we get a lot of rain,” he said.
The social media explanation garnered mixed reactions in the comments section.
“If personal fireworks are too dangerous during a Stage 2 fire ban, then I think our fire department should lead by example,” wrote one commenter.
“I’m glad Bayfield is doing fireworks!!! I support the fireworks!!!” wrote another.
Evans said fire, law enforcement and city officials want the town to enjoy the holiday – but safely.
“We’re just trying to get people to behave,” he said. “I’m hopeful that the community, the tightness of the Bayfield community, that people will … behave and just come down and enjoy the show. … We want you to spend your money on a turkey leg versus a mortar.”
The town of Bayfield thanked residents who reached out – both those in support of and those opposing this year’s fireworks display – in a Facebook post Wednesday.
“We are grateful to Upper Pine River Fire Protection for their continued leadership in our community!” the post read.
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