Aurora Fire Rescue said it will temporarily lift the city’s Stage 1 Fire Restriction to allow people to buy and set off fireworks within city limits from June 15 through July 4.
City code allows the sale and use of fireworks every year during the same 20-day period if fire risk is not too high. Only ground fireworks, like sparklers and small fountains, are permitted. Any kind of fireworks that leave the ground or explode, like bottle rockets or roman candles, remain illegal.
Aurora Fire Rescue said it uses three metrics to determine whether a fire ban is needed, including fuel moisture levels and the intensity of a potential fire. Fire officials said a fire ban is only implemented when all three fire risk metrics hit or exceed the thresholds. Aurora Fire Rescue said only one of the three metrics has reached that level as of June 10.
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“We understand that residents may have questions about lifting fire restrictions at a time when the city has implemented Stage 1 water restrictions due to drought conditions. While both decisions are influenced by weather and environmental factors, they are based on different measures,” Aurora Fire Chief Alec Oughton said. “In light of the ever-present risks associated with fireworks, only use those that are legally allowed, and always exercise caution.”…