Gov. Orders Ban On Fireworks, Open Burning Statewide
DENVER (CBS4) - Private fireworks are now banned in Colorado.
Gov. John Hickenlooper on Thursday signed an executive order that makes the use of private fireworks illegal and bans open burning. The order was signed because conditions across the state are very dry and the fire danger is at extreme levels in many counties.
Fires will still be allowed in the following areas:
- constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed camp and picnic grounds or recreation sites
- liquid-fueled or gas-fueled stoves
- fireplaces contained within buildings
- charcoal grills at private residences
- specific prescribed or controlled burns for agricultural or irrigation purposes
"We just want for recreational fires, right, people going out in the woods and building a campfire. They shouldn't be doing that anywhere right now because it's that dry," said Hickenlooper.
Public fireworks displays are not affected by the ban.
Hickenlooper said up until Thursday many of Colorado's counties had similar bans in place, but this order makes it clear what the rule is everywhere.
WATCH INTERVIEW: Hickenlooper Talks About Ban On CBS4 Morning News
"Right now, while we know the entire state is tinder dry, we're going to have a statewide ban," Hickenlooper said. "Let's say we start getting a lot of rain in northwestern Colorado, we'll back off."
"Right now we felt it was imperative to get everybody focused," he said.
