City Remains in Fire Restrictions & Fireworks Ban

SANTA FE, JUNE 13 – The City of Santa Fe, in collaboration with the Kiwanis Club, invite community members to the free Independence Day Community Fireworks Display on July 4 at the Santa Fe Place Mall from 4 to 10 p.m. This display will help the community celebrate the holiday safely, with plenty of fire safety personnel on site! Fire restrictions and a fireworks ban of certain fireworks due to severe drought conditions remain in effect.

 “I strongly encourage everyone to enjoy the wonderful Community Fireworks at the Santa Fe Place Mall,” says Fire Chief Moya. “By working with the Kiwanis Club and Santa Fe Place Mall for this event, we can make sure that the community gets to enjoy festive fireworks while maintaining the highest fire safety possible. With the current conditions, even legal fireworks pose a fire hazard, so if you decide to use them, please have a fire safety plan in place ahead of time. Better yet, come enjoy the display on the 4th with us and we’ll take care of the safety details.”

A new resolution that extends the fire restrictions due to drought was passed on June 8, and will remain in effect until July 10, 2022. Get the most current wildfire information here.

 During this time, the following activities are prohibited:

• The sale or use of fireworks within the city of Santa Fe

• Open burning, including campfires, bonfires, pit barbecues

• Burning of weeds, trash, or other vegetation

• Smoking in public parks, recreation areas, or on any public trail

• Using any motorized all-terrain vehicle or motorcycles on city owned open space, parks, trails, or other recreational areas

The City of Santa Fe Fire Department reminds community members only certain kinds of fireworks can be used within city limits. Safe fireworks are defined as fireworks that have no report, do not make an explosive sound, are not self-propelling, and whose display does not extend above fifteen feet in height from the ground.

Dangerous and Illegal Fireworks

Dangerous fireworks are prohibited by Ordinance within the city limits, and a violation can result in a misdemeanor charge punishable with imprisonment for up to 90 days or a fine not to exceed $500, or both.Dangerous and illegal fireworks are any firecracker, Roman candle, skyrocket, torpedo, bomb, blank cartridge, cone-shaped fountain, bottle rocket and flyer or any other type or form of explosive. Any firework that is self-propelling, where the display extends above 15 feet in height from the ground, produce a loud bang by combustion, explosion or detonation are illegal and pose a fire hazard to the user and neighbors. These fireworks are especially dangerous during an extremely dry season.

Legal Fireworks

Fireworks approved for use within the city limits are sold with an approved permit and from a store with a permanent structure at a recognized business location. City Ordinance does not permit the sale of fireworks from a fireworks tent or stand.

Legal fireworks include:

• Snakes, weighing up to 20 grams each.

• Smoke devices and spray balls, weighing up to 25 grams each.

• Wheels should not exceed 60 grams in weight per driver unit, but any number of drivers may be on any one wheel. The inside bore of the driver tubes should not be over one-half inch.

• Illuminating torches and colored fire in any form can weigh up to 100 grams each

• Sparklers and dipped sticks should weigh up to 100 grams. If they contain any chlorate or perchlorate, they should not exceed five grams in weight.

• Cylindrical fountains should not exceed 75 grams each in weight. The inside tube diameter cannot exceed three-fourths inch.

• Railway fuses, fuses, truck flares, hardship distress signals, smoke candles, smoke signals and smoke pots.

 Approved Firework Sale Locations:

• Albertsons

• Market Street

• Walmart

• Smiths

• Big R

• Target

When using legal fireworks, be sure to put safety first and consider neighbors, community members, and pets who may be sensitive to the sights and sounds the fireworks produce. Veterans and community members who have experienced gun violence may be reactive to fireworks due to post-traumatic stress disorder, and the loud, unexpected noises can also scare pets and even cause them to run away. Check out our safety tips for using legal fireworks and being considerate of neighbors and pets below.

 The City reminds residents to have a safe and happy Independence Day by enjoying the Community Fireworks Display and being considerate of all your neighbors, including the furry ones, throughout the holiday weekend!