Recent rains and monsoonal moisture have helped fire conditions overall this year. However, Mesa County is forecast for a red flag warning tomorrow, July 4th. Combined with strong winds and hot temperatures, one spark has the potential to spread into a wildfire that is difficult to impossible to control under these types of conditions.
The public is asked to remain cautious with activities that could ignite a wildfire. Open burning is prohibited under red flag conditions. Trailer chains should be secured and not dragging to avoid creating sparks along roadways. Remember to discard cigarette butts and smoking materials safely and not throw them on the ground or outside of your car. Avoid working with hot or sparking machinery near dry vegetation.
Is it recommended to avoid using personal fireworks under red flag conditions. If you do use them, exercise extreme caution when setting off LEGAL fireworks.
When using legal fireworks it is extremely important to stay away from dry grass and wooded areas. It just takes one spark to start a wildfire that can put lives and property at risk.
The use of fireworks, flares, or other incendiary devices, including exploding targets, are always prohibited on federal lands.
FIREWORKS FACTS
• The use of fireworks on federal land is always ILLEGAL.
• It is ILLEGAL to knowingly sell or provide fireworks to anyone under 16 years of age. No one under the age of 16 can purchase fireworks. Colorado law requires adult supervision for persons under 16 years of age to possess or discharge fireworks.
• Permissible LEGAL fireworks include: Cylindrical or cone fountains, wheels and ground spinners, illuminating torches and colored fire, dipped sticks and sparklers, toy propellant or toy smoke devices, trick noise makers and snake or glow worms are all permissible.
• ILLEGAL Fireworks: Fireworks not meeting the definition of permissible fireworks including but not limited to cherry bombs, Roman candles, firecrackers, bottle rockets, shells and rockets, M-80s and M-100s, and helicopters are all examples of illegal fireworks.
• A good rule of thumb: anything that explodes or leaves the ground is most likely ILLEGAL in Colorado.
If you see a fire start, call 911 immediately.