Highlands Ranch 4th Of July Fireworks Get Green Light
HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. (CBS4) - More moisture this year means more Fourth of July fireworks in Colorado, including a display in Douglas County, where tinderbox conditions the last two Julys forced cancellations.
Some communities across the state have lifted similar bans. Friday's display in Highlands Ranch, scheduled for roughly 9:15 p.m. near Town Center Drive, has the fire department's go-ahead.
"The only thing that's going to stop us now at this point is too much rain," said Amanda Arnce of the Highlands Ranch Community Association. "That's a big change from the last couple years."
LINK: Where to watch fireworks in Colorado in 2014
The association takes its orders from the county and its fire department, which determines whether the show will go on.
"The bottom line is we want people to be very cautious," Ron Hanavan of the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said. "Yes, we've had some more moisture this year, but we have had lot of winds. The wind tends to dry things out a lot quicker, and we have had a lot of fuels. They've grown. They've dried out."
Hanavan said residents still must heed bans on personal fireworks.
"Nothing can leave the ground. If it leaves the ground and/or if it explodes, as a general rule, those would not be permissible fireworks," he said, noting that residents are safer attending professional displays.
Tommie Mailey, a Highlands Ranch resident with 10-, 6- and 4-year-old kids, said they're excited.
"The kids enjoy it and they put on a great show," she told CBS4. "We're looking forward to it."