Fourth of July fireworks shows across Colorado Springs still on for now
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (KRDO) -- Seven professional Fourth of July fireworks shows supported by the City of Colorado Springs are continuing as scheduled for now.
Temperatures are increasing, conditions are dry, and wildfires are burning across the state. This has left many of our viewers concerned about the safety of fireworks displays across Colorado Springs this weekend.
Today, City of Colorado Springs officials held a press conference addressing the issue and said that cancellation is not off the table.
“We are supporting seven professional fireworks shows, but that is not a guarantee," Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade said. "Every single day leading up to even that day... we will be assessing. Our biggest priority is the protection of our neighborhoods and the safety of our residents.”
So, what would it take for these fireworks shows to get called off?
If a Red Flag Warning is issued for Saturday, July 4, by the National Weather Service, the city said it will cancel the fireworks displays in accordance with the burn ban issued June 29.
Colorado Springs Fire Department (CSFD) Fire Chief Randy Royal said the city is in contact with the National Weather Service daily. Chief Royal said he believes we will see a Red Flag Warning on the Fourth of July.
The city is also considering canceling the displays as conditions change. This could be as soon as Wednesday, or even in the middle of a show.
Chief Royal said wind is their main concern in terms of weather conditions. If CSFD measures wind speeds above 15 MPH, staff on site will be instructed to call off the shows.
City officials also said there will be a fire truck and crew at all seven shows. This allows CSFD to act quickly if a grass fire were to start.
Fireworks are always illegal in the City of Colorado Springs. City officials are urging the community not to light fireworks illegally, especially under the current fire danger.
“Please leave the fireworks to the professionals," Mayor Mobolade said. "No firework is worth risking a neighborhood. No moments of entertainment are worth putting a firefighter’s life in danger.”
Colorado Springs Police Department Chief of Police Adrian Vasquez said CSFD will have multiple officers specifically assigned to enforce the legal use of fireworks across the city on the Fourth of July.
Chief Vasquez said violating the city fireworks ordinance is a municipal offense punishable by up to $2,650 in fines, a mandatory appearance in municipal court, up to 189 days in jail and the confiscation of fireworks.
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