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Silverton Cancels Fireworks Due To Fire Danger

SILVERTON, Colo. (AP) — A town already struggling because of a wildfire burning in southwestern Colorado has called off its July 4th fireworks because of the high fire danger.

Silverton generic Colorado
The mountain town of Silverton Colorado, on July 31, 2017. (credit: Amy Brothers/ The Denver Post)

Silverton's fireworks are part of an all day celebration that draws thousands of people to the former mining town, its biggest crowd of the year. However, Silverton Area Chamber of Commerce director DeAnne Gallegos said Tuesday that other parts of the celebration, including live music and a parade that ends with a water fight with firefighters, will go on as normal.

Gallegos says businesses have reported a 60 to 95 percent drop in revenue because of periodic closures of the only highway to town and the suspension of tourist railroad service due to the 416 Fire, which is 35 percent contained.

LINK: Colorado 4th Of July Fireworks Listings

Wildfire Resources

- Visit CBSDenver.com's Living With Wildfire section.

Wildfire Photo Galleries

- See images from the most destructive wildfires (Black Forest, Waldo Canyon, High Park and Fourmile), the deadliest (Storm King) and largest wildfire (Hayman) in Colorado history.

(© Copyright 2018 The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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