Fire chief reminds residents firework use illegal within city limits
Staff report
The Chronicle-News
The City of Trinidad would like to remind residents that the use of fireworks within city limits is illegal and have suggested people attend the city display of fireworks Monday, July 4, if they would like to enjoy some flashes and bangs.
“With the upcoming Fourth (sic) of July holiday (sic), the Trinidad Fire Department would like to remind the community that fireworks are not permitted in the City of Trinidad,” the city said in a release.
Under a city ordinance passed in July 2005, it is illegal to use or possess with intent to use fireworks in the city.
“I wasn’t in charge back then,” TFD Fire Chief Dave Bacharach said when asked why the ordinance went into effect. “But we’ve been in a drought for like the last 10 to 15 years...”
Fireworks are defined as any device that produces a visible or audible effect through combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation.
Bacharach said that the main danger with fireworks is the risk of starting a fire, but that depending on the type of device – children can also be hurt.
“Setting off a fire would be your key point there,” Bacharach said. “And then any possible injuries to young kids that are playing with fireworks.”
Trinidad Police Department has received multiple calls for firework use this year, according to call logs. TFD said that it has not yet been called to a fire or injuries due to fireworks this year.
Any fireworks seen by TPD or TFD personnel can be confiscated and disposed of by those departments, according to city law.
Bacharach reiterated that no one should be using fireworks within the city, due to its illegality, and encouraged people to attend the firework show July 4.
The city will host a firework display at Central Park in Trinidad Monday, July 4, at dusk.
