Keeping fireworks celebration legal, safe

| The New Mexican

7/3/2008 - 7/4/08

Playing with fire is an American pastime for Independence Day, but before you blow it up, keep in mind that most of the popular holiday explosives are illegal.

Within Santa Fe city limits, "dangerous fireworks" are prohibited, including any firecracker, Roman candle, skyrocket, torpedo, bomb, blank cartridge, cone-shaped fountain, bottle rocket and flyer or any other type or form of explosive.

Items that shoot more that 15 feet from the ground and any article that makes "a report by combustion, explosion or detonation" are also banned.

Although fire officials say none of the items are completely safe, a list of approved devices includes sparklers, snakes, smoke balls, wheels and illuminated torches.

Similar rules apply throughout Santa Fe County. However, it defines banned fireworks as those that are "aerial and ground audible."

Fire restrictions are also in place in the county because of dry conditions. Campfires, open fires of any kind and open burning of vegetation or rubbish are all prohibited. Smoking in wildland areas and parks is also banned.

Officials encourage Fourth of July revelers to attend a professional fireworks display tonight rather than a do-it-yourself version. The show starts at Santa Fe High, 2100 Yucca Road, at 9 p.m. Gates open at 5:30 p.m. Parking costs $5 at the school, off Siringo Road, Ragle Park, the handball courts and La Farge Library.