In the summer of 1982, two brothers began selling firework products from a roadside stand in Fruitland. Nearly 45 years later, the Burnham family continues the business throughout San Juan County.
The idea came from their father, David Burnham, who was always looking for new business opportunities. Hoping to help his sons earn extra summer money and learn the value of hard work, he set up 9-year-old Daniel Burnham and his 14-year-old brother, Jim Burnham, at the stand.
Daniel Burnham said his father was an entrepreneur who was always pursuing side businesses. He said that example taught him the value of hard work, innovation and trying new things.
Over the years, the operation evolved into Burnham Bros Fireworks. Today, five brothers and one sister remain involved in the company.
In October 2009, the family built a brick-and-mortar store on the site of a former Mavericks gas station, a spot they had historically used for temporary setups.
Daniel Burnham recalled that their first customer in the store was an older woman purchasing Black Cat firecrackers to humanely keep other animals away from her dog. The family laminated the $1 bill from that first sale.
Even with a permanent location, the Burnhams still have a tent business selling in locations across San Juan County. This includes sites in Farmington, Flora Vista, Kirtland, Waterflow and near the Colorado-New Mexico state line in Aztec.
Decades in the industry have brought a variety of challenges. Burnham said the business is especially affected by unpredictable weather.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought additional strain, forcing the store to close for months and draining finances to the point that Burnham had to pay utility bills from his personal account. A strong summer season eventually stabilized the business.
The family also faces ongoing reputational challenges when fireworks are misused by individuals, which he said can reflect poorly on the industry as a whole.
At the same time, Burnham said the fireworks industry has improved significantly since 1982, with a wider variety of products and stricter safety and quality controls in place.
“What seems to be happening is even though more and more are being used, we're not seeing a corresponding spike in injuries and fires, which is, I think, amazing,” Burnham said.
Daniel Burnham encourages customers to use fireworks responsibly, recommending they celebrate in open neighborhood streets rather than isolated rural areas.
The business remains a place where the family comes together. One of the Burnham brothers, Mark Burnham, recalled the summers he spent with family at the business.
“I always thought fireworks were fun, because it meant I got to play, or I got to see my siblings. And with such a wide age gap, summer was the only time I'd see my siblings. So for me, it was a holiday feel.”
Daniel Burnham said some of his favorite childhood memories came from watching his father put on elaborate Fourth of July fireworks displays at the family farm.
“He drew circles on the sand, and you had to stay in your little circle,” Daniel Burnham said. “He spread this all out in the backyard and proceeded to light that giant box of fireworks.”
“We just thought that was what everybody did,” he said. “So to be able to recreate that, or help people recreate that, is just wonderful.”
Those traditions have continued, with the family's annual setup becoming a reunion of its own.
“We even laughed earlier this year at the hardest days, which is the setting up of the tents and the filling them up with all the stock,” Mark Burnham said. “It's a brutal day, but it's also the one time all of us siblings are together. So even though it's really hard, it's incredibly fun because you're working together for a common goal.”
The business also employs the next generation of the family. Daniel Burnham's children have all worked at the store, an experience he said teaches them how to work hard, understand the value of money and practice socializing.
“Money doesn't just show up,” Daniel Burnham said. “But one of the cool things is they can say hello to strangers and can have a slight conversation with a stranger. That's very important nowadays, especially with our phones”
“For an hour or however long we let off fireworks, that's it. There's no technology,” said Mark Burnham. “And even now, kids are happy to drop everything and do this, what I always assume is like a family gathering activity. You don't let off fireworks by yourselves. You do it as a party, as a celebration.”
Isabella Burnham, 18, said she has been involved in the business since she was 15. She said her favorite memories are when the family gathers to test new fireworks.
“We would make a day and set off the new stuff,” she said. “I really like when we do that because we would get the family together. My dad would yell the name of the firework, and we would see the firework and then tell people about it. That was always fun.”
The family also participates in community philanthropy, donating thousands of dollars annually in stock and cash to local causes. They have provided a tent for St. Rose Catholic Church in Blanco and matched donations collected by the La Plata County Fire Department.
Additionally, they donate large fireworks assortments to public graduations in Kirtland and supply auction items for Right to Life events in Durango, Colorado.
Even after more than four decades in business, Daniel Burnham said what keeps the family returning each summer is the joy that fireworks bring to others.
As the nation marks its 250th birthday in 2026, Daniel Burnham cherishes seeing parents and children come into the store equally excited to celebrate together.
“I mean, have you ever held a sparkler and not smiled?” Daniel Burnham asked. “It's physically impossible to hold a sparkler and be unhappy.”
Burnham Bros. Fireworks operates seasonal stands during the summer and a year-round store at 4226 U.S. Highway 64 in Kirtland. For more information, call (505) 598-1500.
