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Fire Danger and the Fourth of July Save Email Print
Posted: 4:48 PM Jul 1, 2008
 Last Updated: 6:11 PM Jul 1, 2008
 Reporter: Mindy Stone
Email Address: mstone@kktv.com
19 comments
A | A | A

This year, there has been an increase in the number of wildfires in Colorado Springs. And with the fourth of July only days away, fire crews are concerned about people setting off fireworks this weekend.

Fireworks are illegal in the city. But, the majority of those fireworks are legal in El Paso County.

Still, fire officials are asking everyone to refrain from using fireworks this year due to the unseasonably dry conditions.

"We are very concerned with the dry conditions. We're really hoping no one lights fireworks," said Lt. Steve McKenna with the Falcon Fire Department.

If you're planning to set off fireworks in the county, fire crews recommend you only use them on concrete or in dirt away from dry vegetation and homes.

But, they prefer you just plan to go to one of the many fireworks shows scheduled this week in Southern Colorado.
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Posted by: Auntie Location: Peyton on Jul 7, 2008 at 11:24 PM
It frustrates me to see people blame the PD or SO for not being at a 1000 places at one time or not ticketing or taking Mom or Dad to jail for lighting off some fireworks. Anyone know how many tickets or arrest that would be on Independence Day? And how much time that would take away from more serious calls? Maybe an answer is to start having a firework card that involves being 21 years old and older with a short safety class. One could not buy fireworks without it and if it is abused it is taken away. Offering designated areas for people to light them off might help too. At least it could be localized. I will say, this year was the best firework show I have ever seen. I also saw several acres of prairie burnt the day after Independence Day. I'm guessing whoever it was didn't want to be caught doing it at their home so they took off and did it in the fields instead - where there were no water hoses. It's a ashame and can only blame the people that didn't respect the dangers.
Posted by: Mik Location: Falcon on Jul 7, 2008 at 10:01 AM
Yes, lets make ALL fireworks illegal and while were at it, lets make guns illegal too. Because we all know it's not the person/s that should be blamed for being irresponsible and careless...
Posted by: Chris Location: Stetson Hills on Jul 5, 2008 at 10:25 AM
After listening to our neighbors shoot off hundreds if not thousands of fireworks, that arent even legal in the state let alone the city. I was extremely disappointed in cspd, when they patrolled our street and interupted the celebration. Not only did they do nothing, but they did not even confiscate the illegal fireworks. They simply asked them to stop. they arrived to find hundreds of mortar shells littering our street and did nothing! Why pass a law banning fireworks, if you do not intend to enforce it? And 5 minutes after they left the neighbors continued. Thanks for wasting our money city council, and thanks for a job not done CSPD
Posted by: Nora Location: CS on Jul 4, 2008 at 08:23 PM
Then why doesn't someone do something about it?? I hear them go off every 30 seconds around my place of residence--where are the cops, if it's illegal?
Posted by: Dear Fear on Jul 3, 2008 at 09:22 AM
Fireworks are illegal for a reason, to stop people from getting hurt or having their homes burn down. Since you don't mind them, move to where there is very high brush and there has been rain for weeks, then set them off. I am with everyone else on here, BAN the sale of them. And for those that bring them in from other states, make the fines realy high and give them a nice hotel room in jail for a while.
Posted by: Nikki Location: CS on Jul 3, 2008 at 09:19 AM
Just a suggestion for people who are going to shoot off fireworks. Wet down your grass before you start and have a hose ready just in case. Also periodically rewet your grass.
Posted by: Haleia Location: CS on Jul 3, 2008 at 08:55 AM
the firework laws are confusing. Actually some fireworks are legal in the City of CS and El Paso County. Vendors take advantage to the confusions in the laws and sell the illegal ones right only side the legal - banking on the customers mind set of surely they would not be allowed to sell illegal products, the police would stop them
Posted by: Nicole Location: Colorado Springs on Jul 3, 2008 at 08:41 AM
Fireworks are great but yes they are illegal. I hate to say it but the being illegal part is the last of my worries. My concern is how dry everything is. If someone using their lawnmower can start a fire I cant even imagine how many are going to be started due to fireworks! I'm going to be out of town and I'm worried about my house and my belongings. I have already seen some of the fireworks in my neighborhood so I hope the police pay close attention to Cimarron Hills because these fireworks aren't even sold in Colorado.
Posted by: kitty Location: cs on Jul 2, 2008 at 08:16 PM
If people must disobey the law (and they always will when it comes to fireworks), I hope more people will make the effort to bring in their pet dogs and cats. It's CRUEL to scare them with the noise...I would love to contact the police to have them come to my neighborhood and arrest or charge those disobeying the law with the maximum fines or even some jail time with loud torture noise in their cell and see how they like it!
Posted by: Troy Location: Loveland, CO on Jul 2, 2008 at 07:27 PM
Isn't this nonsensical fear-based garbage getting old? The crybaby scaredicats in the city government, and the middle-class crybabies need to grow up and stop being so scared of everything. The 4th of July is about freedom. What freedom do we really have anymore? Shoot your fireworks and have fun. Do it responsibly and safely and enjoy what little freedom you do have. It won't be long before it's all gone because of FEAR.
Posted by: Judy Location: El Paso County on Jul 2, 2008 at 05:41 PM
I am extremely disappointed in the elected county officials and those in charge of day to day management in not taking a stand on ending the use of fireworks in the county.
Posted by: Chris Location: Colorado Springs on Jul 2, 2008 at 03:52 PM
Yeah, yeah, yeah....you know they say the same thing year after year and when the 4th(or a week earlier) comes around the city goes firework crazy...I cant even let my dogs out after dark because they are tramatized by them...
Posted by: savanna Location: C/S on Jul 2, 2008 at 03:13 PM
CSPD sounds like most cities, not just C/S, besides it keeps you employed.
Posted by: June Location: cs on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Why are fireworks sold in this state. I'll tell you why, so the cops and cities can make money. Talk about hypocrites!!!!
Posted by: Kelcy Location: El Paso County, Colorado on Jul 2, 2008 at 12:09 PM
It`s dry as all get out every where in this county. In some areas of the county it looks horrifying even. If someone in my neighborhood starts a fire with legal fireworks and my house burns down then I guess it will be okay? Like the guy who started the fire in Ordway? Does the county have any financial liability in that case for having set bad policy? I have a fire plan in place for my house, all photos, special documents and so forth are designated and ready to be hauled out with a moments notice but geez, just the thought of all the rest going up in flames. Then having to rebuild it all. Where is the common sense. Are they watching the pictures of California?
Posted by: Sarah Location: Colorado Springs on Jul 2, 2008 at 11:19 AM
There are a lot of people who will be setting off Fireworks no matter what they are told. People are already setting them off where I live. :o(
Posted by: Bob Location: Colorado Springs on Jul 2, 2008 at 10:44 AM
Hey Bob, sounds like your speaking about the cops and lawyers in this town.
Posted by: Ann Location: co on Jul 2, 2008 at 10:42 AM
What is wrong with this city??? Why allow fireworks to be sold in the state when they are illegal? Makes no real sense. Sounds like a setup for the city adn the cops to make money off of stupid people.
Posted by: unk Location: C/S on Jul 2, 2008 at 10:42 AM
CSPD is right. A lot of people have no common sense when it comes to this kind of thing. Fireworks are illegal to even posses on the national forest and where do you think people camp and light of fireworks on the 4th? Yep, the national forest. I just hope people think before they act this year when they are camping.
Posted by: CSPD Location: C/S on Jul 2, 2008 at 03:52 AM
Fireworks are illegal in the city but so many residents here have no integrity, morals or ethics and will violate the law.
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