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Did you know that on the Fourth of July, there are more fires nationally than any other day of the year? That a simple sparkler can burn at a temperature of 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit? More often than not, consumer fireworks are the leading cause of fires and serious burn injuries during this holiday weekend. Don’t let your family or friends become a part of these statistics, instead, “Leave the show to the pros!”.

The Santa Fe County Fire Department takes wildland fire potential and risks seriously and has been monitoring the weather daily.  Even though, we have had drier, hotter, and windier days compared to the last few months, the current 7–day significant fire potential for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains is “low risk’ to “little or no risk”, according to the Southwest Coordination Center. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, as of June 22, increased moisture is anticipated to arrive throughout the holiday weekend. Therefore, the Santa Fe County Fire Department has determined that a fireworks ban implementation was not warranted this year’s 4th of July. The Santa Fe County Fire Department highly recommends that Santa Fe County residents and visitors seek out professionally produced public displays or some other means to celebrate our nation’s independence.

29th Annual Santa Fe Wine Festival
Date: July 1 – 2, 2023
Time: 12:00pm – 6:00pm
Price: $20.00
Location: El Rancho de las Golondrinas

Pancakes on the Plaza
Date: July 4, 2023
Time: 7:00am-5:00pm
Price: $12.00 per person

Santa Fe July 4th Celebration
Date: July 4, 2023
Time: 4:00 PM to 10:00pm
Price: Free
Location: Santa Fe Place Mall

After cautious consideration, residents could choose to purchase and use permissible fireworks, please follow these safety recommendations:

• Obey all local laws regarding the use of fireworks.
• Know your fireworks; read the cautionary labels and performance descriptions before igniting.
• A responsible adult SHOULD supervise all firework activities.  Never give fireworks to children.
• Alcohol and fireworks do not mix.
• Wear safety glasses when shooting fireworks.
• Light one firework at a time and then quickly move away.
• Use fireworks OUTDOORS in a clear area; away from buildings and vehicles.
• Never relight a “dud” firework.  Wait 20 minutes and then soak it in a bucket of water.
• Always have a bucket of water and charged water hose nearby.
• Do not experiment with homemade fireworks.
• Dispose of spent fireworks by wetting them down and place in a metal trash can away from any building or combustible materials until the next day.

Let’s not forget the safety of our pets!

• Don’t bring your pets to a fireworks display, even a small one.
• If fireworks are being used near your home, put your pet in a safe, interior room to avoid exposure to the sound.
• Make sure your pet has an identification tag, in case it runs off during a fireworks display.
• Never shoot fireworks of any kind (consumer fireworks, sparklers, fountains, etc.) near pets.

The Santa Fe County Fire Department wishes you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July holiday and assures you that we are poised to respond and protect our community.

For more information, contact Olivia Romo, Communications Coordinator, at orromo@santafecountynm.gov or 505-986-6224.