Authorities field hundreds of calls over fireworks

BY ELLIS ARNOLD EARNOLD@COLORADOCOMMUNITYMEDIA.COM

It’s common knowledge that some reworks are illegal, but even legal reworks can pose a danger. Over the last few weeks, ahead of and after the Fourth of July holiday, authorties have elded hundreds of related calls.

Two homes were destroyed by a re caused by legal reworks on July 4 in Parker, according to the local re rescue agency.

At one home in Arapahoe County, reworks caused minor damage to a garage.

South Metro Fire Rescue also responded to two medical aid calls related to reworks.

at’s a look at the consequences reworks caused between June 26 and July 4 this year, according to South Metro Fire.

But the impact of reworks goes beyond damage. Calls to authorities about reworks also expand the workload for law enforcement around the Fourth of July. From June 30 through July 4, Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce received more than 500 calls for service related to reworks.

e sheri ’s o ce didn’t issue any citations, but it has one open case related to the use of reworks on July 2 that involves juveniles, a sheri ’s o ce spokesperson said on July 7.

It’s worth taking a look at what kinds of reworks are legal — and how to stay safe if you choose to use them.

What fireworks are legal?

Fireworks that leave the ground and explode — typically bought out of state — are not legal, according to Deputy Cocha Heyden, spokesperson for the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce.

According to state law, Heyden said, the types of reworks permissible in Colorado include:

• Fountains

• Ground spinners

• Illuminating torches

• Dipped sticks and sparklers

• Toy propellants

• Trick noise makers

• And tube devices.

Fireworks that are always illegal to use in Colorado, except for public and professional displays, according to the sheri ’s o ce, include:

• Firecrackers

• Rockets, including bottle rockets

• And Roman candles, cherry bombs, mortars and similar items, such as M-80s.

Permissible reworks may not contain more than 50 milligrams of explosive composition, according to the sheri ’s o ce.

Some municipalities may put further restrictions on rework use. For example, Castle Rock’s website says: “Only reworks purchased at stands in Castle Rock are legal, and only on July 4 between 8 a.m and 10 p.m.” e legality of reworks can change if a local re ban is in e ect. You can check local government websites to determine when such bans are issued.

Charges for illegal use e use of illegal reworks in Douglas County is a misdemeanor and is punishable with nes from $50 to a maximum of $750 and/or up to six months imprisonment, according to the sheri ’s o ce.

And if a person accidentally starts a re due to illegal — or legal — rework use, they could be charged with a crime.

“A person could be charged with fourth-degree arson … if they are setting them o and property sets on re,” Heyden said. “ ere could also be reckless endangerment. It honestly just depends on the circumstances.”

Keep first responders in mind

From June 30 through July 4, the Douglas County Sheri ’s O ce received 520 “actual” calls for service regarding reworks, 14 calls for service for tra c hazards due to roads being blocked for reworks, and 10 calls for service for noise complaints due to loud parties with reworks, according to the sheri ’s o ce.

About 340 reworks calls came on the Fourth of July itself, according to the o ce.

“Every year our dispatch center is inundated with calls from citizens reporting that they hear reworks going o somewhere in their neighborhood,” the sheri ’s o ce said in a news release. “ is severely impacts our call system and could a ect our response to other calls for service.”

People should only call the sheri ’s o ce about reworks if they see someone use illegal reworks or they see re or there is injury, Heyden said.

“We cannot do anything about the calls where people ‘hear’ them,” Heyden said. “ at does us no good — we need locations.”

Fireworks can cause tragedy e two homes that became uninhabitable due to a re caused by legal reworks on July 4 were located in Parker’s Clarke Farms neighborhood, according to South Metro Fire Rescue.

In the incident, one reghter was transported to the hospital with a minor burn injury.

Fire ghters prevented the re from spreading to three neighboring homes, according to a tweet from South Metro Fire.

“Fire investigators determined that improper disposal of legal reworks in a plastic bin outside the garage caused this re,” the agency tweeted. “Both homes were destroyed and the families are displaced.” is year’s July 4 saw heavy rain, but in years when the weather is dry on Independence Day, the risk of re is higher.

“Weather can play a factor,” said Lauren Ono, a spokesperson for South Metro Fire. “Especially when we have warmer temperatures, low humidity and high winds, res can start easier and grow much faster.” e best way to mitigate the risk of reworks starting a re at your home or in your neighborhood is to not use any of them at all, Heyden said.

“We always suggest going to see a professional show instead,” Heyden added.