Eagle County officials urge extreme caution due to fire danger on Fourth of July

With Fourth of July celebrations nearing, public safety agencies are issuing a reminder that the use of personal fireworks that explode or leave the ground are prohibited in Colorado. Examples of illegal fireworks include those that fly into the air and those with a loud bang such as bottle rockets, firecrackers, cherry bombs, Roman candles and M-80 salutes.

Additional restrictions banning all types of fireworks apply on federal lands and within some town boundaries in Eagle County. Local fire officials are advising extreme caution this holiday season due to the recent dry and windy weather and law enforcement agencies will implement a zero tolerance policy on illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday.

To ensure a safe and fun holiday, guests and residents are encouraged to enjoy the professional displays scheduled to take place at the following locations, conditions permitting:

Avon – July 3 at Nottingham Park
www.avon.org
Basalt - July 4 at the Roaring Fork Club
www.roaringforkclub.com
Beaver Creek - July 4 on the ski mountain
www.beavercreek.com
Eagle - July 4 at the Eagle County Fairgrounds
www.townofeagle.org
Vail - July 4 at west end of Vail Village Parking Structure
www.vailgov.com

Fire officials with the Upper Colorado River Interagency Fire Management Unit (UCR), which includes Eagle County, report that forecasted fire danger for the July 4th weekend ranges from "High" to "Very High." Those enjoying the outdoors are urged to exercise caution with campfires, leaving no fire unattended and making sure fires are completely out and ashes are cool to the touch prior to leaving the area. Campfires should only be made in provided fire rings in established recreational facilities, with plenty of water and a shovel nearby.

Already this summer, fire crews have responded to several reports of smoke that have turned out to be unattended or improperly extinguished campfires. The ongoing mountain pine beetle epidemic is creating a build-up of fuels in many areas, increasing the possibility of an unattended campfire becoming a destructive wildfire.

For more information, contact your local fire or land management agency: Basalt and Rural Fire Protection District, 970-704-0675; Bureau of Land Management, 970-876-9000; Eagle River Fire Protection District, 970-748-9665; Greater Eagle Fire Protection District, 970-328-7244; Gypsum Fire Protection District, 970-524-7101; Rock Creek Volunteer Fire Department, 970-653-4497; Vail Fire and Emergency Services, 970-479-2250; White River National Forest, 970-945-2521; or the Eagle County Sheriff’s Office at 970-328-8500.

	24hr snow	mid dpth	snow cond.
A-Basin	n/a	n/a
Aspen	n/a	n/a	closed
BC	n/a	n/a	closed
Breckenridge	n/a	n/a	closed
Buttermilk	n/a	n/a	closed
Copper	n/a	n/a	closed
Crest. Butte	n/a	n/a	closed
Eldora	n/a	n/a	closed
Heavenly	n/a	n/a	closed
Highlands	n/a	n/a
Howelsen	n/a	n/a	closed
Keystone	n/a	n/a	closed
Kirkwood	n/a	n/a	closed
Loveland	n/a	n/a
Monarch	n/a	n/a	closed
Northstar	n/a	n/a	closed
Powderhorn	n/a	n/a	closed
Purgatory	n/a	n/a	closed
Silverton	n/a	n/a	closed
Ski Cooper	n/a	n/a	closed
Ski Granby	n/a	n/a	closed
Snowmass	n/a	n/a	closed
Steamboat	n/a	n/a	closed
Sunlight	n/a	n/a	closed
Telluride	n/a	n/a	closed
Vail	n/a	n/a	closed
WinterPark	n/a	n/a	closed
Wolf Creek	n/a	n/a	closed
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