With Fourth of July only 26 days away and drought conditions not getting any better, the Gallup City Council had a decision to make at its meeting June 8: To ban or not to ban— fireworks.
Gallup Fire Chief Jesus Morales and Fire Marshal Jon Pairett informed the council that the county and city’s drought conditions hadn’t changed since McKinley County Fire Chief Brian Archuleta last presented the findings to the county commissioners May 4. McKinley County is still in the D3 and D4 intensity zones according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.
Morales and Pairett advised the council to proclaim extreme drought and ban certain types of fireworks.
“The purpose of this proclamation is to reduce fires, to reduce accidental fires, [and] to reduce accidents throughout the holiday,” Morales said.
The county commissioners chose to ban fireworks on Cinco de Mayo earlier this year, and Morales and Pairett encouraged the council to do the same for the Fourth of July. During the April 6 commissioners meeting, County Attorney Doug Decker explained that only certain fireworks can be banned. Sparklers and smaller fireworks that don’t go high in the air and don’t make a loud noise can’t be banned.
During his part of the presentation, Pairett explained that the Predictive Services National Interagency Fire Center looked at the time period between June and September. They determined that the recent La Niña caused above normal temperatures and below average precipitation. This, along with other factors, leads to an above normal potential for fire.
Between April 1 and May 31, the Gallup Fire Department responded to 27 brush/outside fires.
Pairett said the monsoons are difficult to predict at this time, but that they could start as soon as mid-July. Another concern is that there may be lingering and dry conditions throughout the summer.
The council approved the proclamation.
Councilor Fran Palochak, Dist. 4, asked the two men if a proclamation would affect the fireworks display the city is planning for the Fourth.
City Manager Maryann Ustick and Morales assured Palochak that it would not.
“In fact, we encourage the public to visit and attend our public display rather than setting off fireworks on their own,” Morales stated. “We’d rather they come and see the professionals set up the professional fireworks.”
On the Fourth, Gallup Fire Department will be checking to be sure people are following the rules.
“It’s not something ideal, I wish we could restrict more, but we’re restricting everything we can within our means and within our power,” Morales commented.
The drought proclamation will last 30 days, and the council can modify the rules at any point during that time.
People wishing to set off fireworks will be required to obtain a permit. The permits cost $15 and can be purchased at the city clerk’s office. The fire department will also have permits available as they check in on people on the Fourth.
By Molly Adamson
Sun Correspondent
