News

Public safety officials to strictly enforce fireworks ban

Monday, June 25, 2012

During periods of high fire danger, police and fire officials remind the public that the use, discharge or ignition of fireworks within the City of Prescott is prohibited. Though use of novelty items such as poppers, snakes, and hand-held sparklers is not prohibited, use of consumer fireworks like ground sparkling devices, sparkling wheel devices (often mounted on trees), ground based sparklers, noise makers (Piccolo Petes), and multi-box sparklers are illegal.

Prescott Police department spokesman Lt. Ken Morley says the city code will be strictly enforced. Individuals may receive a fine and up to one year in jail for a violation, plus be held accountable for restitution in the event of damages. "We want everyone to safely enjoy the July 4th Celebration and leave the fireworks displays to the professionals," adds Morley.

With wildfires occurring throughout the western United States, local fire officials are concerned about the devastating potential of illegal fireworks use. "We have enough vegetation fires based on refuse disposal, camping, lightning, power line mishaps, car fires, and house fires," states Prescott Fire Battalion Chief Don Devendorf. "Our primary goal is to stop fire from starting. By the time a fire starts, something is already lost. We want to prevent those losses and prevent the potentially devastating effects on our friends, co-workers, neighbors, and visitors."

The City of Prescott is scheduled to hold its annual July 4th Celebration at Pioneer Park. The Prescott Fire department will staff the event, taking all precautions to assure public safety and minimize fire hazard.