Independence Day weekend is one of the most dangerous times of the year for fires, and hence, one of the most regulated.

The number of firework-related incidents reported by fire departments increased by over 200% from 2023 to 2024, according to data from the Colorado Fire Incident Reporting System.

With several counties on the Western Slope implementing Stage 1 fire restrictions and other red flag warnings, fireworks are under more restrictions than usual.

Stage 1 restrictions kick in when wildfire danger is high to extreme, and automatically result in the banning of all recreational fireworks — even small, handheld ones like sparklers.

“If the local jurisdiction decides that the conditions are not tenable for inviting out fireworks, then they have the right to say, ‘There are restrictions, they’re not allowed right now,'” said Chris Brunette, section chief for the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control.

Currently, Western Slope counties under Stage 1 fire restrictions include Summit, Eagle, Garfield, Pitkin, Moffat, Gunnison, Teller, Delta, Ouray, Montezuma and Mesa counties. Public lands in the White River National Forest and all Bureau of Land Management land in the Upper Colorado River District have also been placed under Stage 1 restrictions. All fireworks are banned on national forest lands.

As it stands now, widespread showers and thunderstorms are expected on Thursday, which brings concerns of frequent lightning and outflow winds gusting between 40 and 50 mph, according to the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control’s fire intelligence unit. The heavy rain might not be enough to offset some of that fire danger, however, since warmer and drier conditions are expected to arrive from Friday into next week.

“Although critical fire weather conditions are not anticipated at this time, it’s important to note that fire conditions can change rapidly,” a spokesperson with the department said. “We encourage Colorado residents to always check for the most current information from your local county sheriff, fire department, or the federal land agency for the area you plan to visit.”

For those who live where fireworks are allowed, or if the fire restrictions are lifted before the holiday weekend, here’s what fireworks are legal and which aren’t:

As a general rule of thumb, any fireworks that leave the ground or explode are illegal in Colorado, including but not limited to bottle rockets, firecrackers, rockets, roman candles, mortars, lady fingers, cherry bombs, M-80s and cannons.

Those found using illegal fireworks can be fined up to $300 or spend 10 days in county jail, Brunette said. Only those 16 years of age or older are allowed to possess and use fireworks in Colorado, and anyone younger must be supervised by an adult 21 or older.

“Some of our local law enforcement agencies are kind of on heightened alert, especially for online fireworks sales that are not permissible,” Brunette said. “Really, if you’re buying fireworks, you should be going to one of our licensed retail outlets that has a license from the state of Colorado. … Many of our larger law enforcement agencies are taking a closer look at those and I think there’s been a couple of busts here recently of those online sales.”

Sparklers, smaller wheels, ground spinners, fountains, illuminating torches, snakes or glow worms are generally all legal in Colorado, Brunette said. Depending on a city or county’s ordinances, however, the list of permissible fireworks can vary from town to town.

Leading up to the Fourth of July, it’s wise to check fire restrictions before lighting any fireworks since information about fire bans can change quickly. It’s important to obtain the most current information from your local county sheriff, fire department, or the federal land agency for the area you plan to visit.

Professional firework shows approved by their respective fire departments are still allowed under Stage 1 restrictions and can be found by visiting dfpc.colorado.gov/fireworks. A few firework shows are sprinkled throughout the Western Slope, including ones in Avon, Vail, Beaver Creek, Gypsum, Rifle and Craig.

“We know everybody likes to see the big fireworks, but rather than trying to set them off yourselves … let’s leave those big shows to the pros,” Brunette said.

If you live in an area where fireworks are allowed, the Colorado Division of Fire Prevention and Control asks that users follow these simple steps to prevent fires:

• Only use fireworks that are legal and purchased from a licensed fireworks store, stand or tent in Colorado.
• Always keep a hose and water nearby while lighting fireworks.
• If a firework does not detonate (commonly known as a dud), always assume that it is still live. Leave the firework undisturbed for at least 15 minutes to ensure it does not reignite on its own. After that, douse the firework with water and leave it undisturbed for an additional five minutes.

To safely dispose of detonated fireworks, soak them in a metal tub filled with water outside your home overnight. Put the wet fireworks into double plastic or trash bags and wait until trash day and place them in the bin.

“That’s going to really help cut down on the home fires that we see,” Brunette said. “Often what happens is people use the fireworks and then they throw them in the garbage, and then the fireworks aren’t completely extinguished, and they catch the trash on fire and then the house.”