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Fireworks shows get green light

Matt Stensland
Fireworks from the Fourth of July finale light up over Olympian Hall. This weekend there are a number of ways for all to enjoy the Fourth of July festivities.
Ben Ingersoll

— The Fourth of July fireworks show in Steamboat Springs is a go, Steamboat Springs Fire Chief Mel Stewart proclaimed Wednesday.

“We’re going for it,” Stewart said. “I think we’re good.”

The July 2 fireworks show at Steamboat Lake will also go on as planned.



That is despite the annual concern about fireworks possibly igniting a fire in dry conditions.

Thanks to some moisture last week, the fire danger for Routt County has gone from high to moderate. An 11,700-acre wildfire and the accompanying plume of smoke on the other side of the Continental Divide serves as a reminder that the risk of wildfires is real.



Stewart said additional rain in the forecast for this week should help keep fire conditions at bay.

“It’s looking pretty good out there,” Stewart said.

The city has only had to cancel the show twice in the last 14 years due to dry conditions. The show was not held in 2002 and 2012.

To prepare for the show, tall grass has been mowed at the launch sites and was raked up by the Rocky Mountain Youth Corps.

During the show, firefighters will be stationed at the launch sites.

“They are there to jump on any spot fires that start from debris that is still on fire,” Stewart said.

Firefighters will then monitor the area following the show. Firefighters from other area departments often come to help and enjoy the show.

Other amateur fireworks shows are destined to light up the sky during the night, but fireworks that leave the ground are illegal in Colorado.

“We see a lot of illegal fireworks,” Stewart said. “We’re always concerned that it’s going to start a fire. In years past, we’ve had them start small fires.”

To reach Matt Stensland, call 970-871-4247, email mstensland@SteamboatToday.com or follow him on Twitter @SBTStensland


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