For the second year in a row, there will be no fireworks allowed in Española city limits.
In a meeting May 27, the city council passed a resolution that prohibits the sale and use of all fireworks within city limits. The resolution passed 6-0. Councilors Eric Radosevich and John Hernandez were absent for the vote.
Española Deputy Fire Chief Eric Tafoya said the resolution aims to prevent fires in the area, especially with the ongoing dry weather conditions. He said that although there was recent rainfall in the area, the amount of moisture is still lacking and that, combined with unpredictable weather conditions such as heavy winds, makes the city more prone to fires.
“We’ve been in a drought for quite some time, but the last three years has been difficult,” he said. “My concern is that if any of these fires popped up now, as dry as it is. These rains that we got, all they did was cause these plants to grow and create more fuel. It hasn’t really done anything to alleviate the drought.”
According to the resolution, “Fireworks of all kinds, including ground or hand-held sparkling devices, whether or not legally acquired or whether or not intended for immediate use, is prohibited within the Española Bosque area and on all lands owned by the City.”
The sale and use of “aerial and ground audible devices,” such as aerial spinners, Roman candles and missile-type rockets, are also prohibited within private spaces in the city.
The ban also applies to display fireworks. Transport of legally acquired fireworks through city limits will be allowed.
Tafoya said the resolution does not apply to Santa Clara and Ohkay Owingeh pueblo lands and to the rest of Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties. He said that so far, Rio Arriba has not passed a fireworks ban.
Last year, Rio Arriba and Santa Fe counties passed resolutions that banned fireworks within each county’s territories.
Española Director of Public Safety Eric Garcia said there might still be fireworks retailers just outside of the city with the nearing Fourth of July holiday. He said his department urges sellers to be cautious of fireworks restrictions in Española.
“We want to encourage those who are going to be selling fireworks to make sure they are of legal, legitimate use,” he said. “This resolution did not take us much to put together. But if we respond to a major bosque fire, we’re talking about hundreds of thousands of dollars in general funds to put that fire out.”
He said the resolution only aims to keep city residents safe.
“The resolution was drafted up because we wanted to make sure that our residents, properties and our businesses’ properties are protected from the dry season that we have,” he said. “This ban right here will provide us an opportunity to limit the threat because we’re in severe, extreme drought conditions right now.”
Tafoya said that although the ban would not help alleviate New Mexico’s drought conditions, it will prevent further destruction from happening in the city.
“I hate to be the cause of a fire in Española,” he said. “It’s a big deal. It’s their livelihood and their homes. People have lived here for generations and I hate for people to lose what they own.”
Española residents who violate the resolution are subject to citations and fines to be determined by the municipal court, Tafoya said.
Garcia said that although some may end up using fireworks throughout the Independence Day weekend, he urges people to keep in mind the potential damages lighting one up could cause.
“We want our residents to have fun, but we want them to be smart at the same time,” he said.