Grand Junction Considering Banning Fireworks Sale

The Grand Junction Fire Chief plans to ask City Council to ban the sale of fireworks.

At this evening's Grand Junction City Council meeting officials will consider Fire Chief Ken Watkins' idea to ban the sale of fireworks in town. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions for Mesa Country go into effect Friday, May 4th and with it shooting off fireworks. The Chief says it only makes sense to ban their sales while the restrictions are in place. His proposal reads as follows..."Many times past restrictions have been enacted shortly before the July 4th holiday, posing significant confusion to consumers purchasing fireworks, vendors selling these products and difficulty enforcing the restrictions. Early adoption of this resolution will provide clarity to those who sell or plan to use fireworks and most importantly safety in the community."

Not sure what the ban includes? Check it out.

What’s not allowed during Stage 1 Fire Restrictions:

1. Building, maintaining, attending, or using a fire, campfire, or stove fire. This includes charcoal barbecues and grills.

Exceptions: Fires are allowed in constructed, permanent fire pits or fire grates within developed Forest Service camp and picnic grounds or recreation sites and petroleum-fueled stoves, lanterns or heating devices that meet the factor underwriter’s specifications for safety. Fires that are maintained or attended within a device that has a speak arrestor or where the fire is fully enclosed within a screen at all times is allowed.

2. Smoking, except in an enclosed vehicle or building, a developed recreation site, or while stopped in an area three feet in diameter that is barren or cleared of all flammable material.

3. Operating or using any internal combustion engine without spark arresting device properly installed, maintained and in effective working order.

4. Welding or operating acetylene or other torches with an open flame.

5. Fireworks and exploding targets.

Are you ok with the ban? If persons want to purchase fireworks, won't they just find someplace else to buy them? Is this about safety or an over-reach by local officials? The ban will cost the city tax revenue.

Credit: Westernslopenow