It’s been over a month since the Aspen area has seen significant rainfall, and the smaller grasses and brush present fire danger. Aspen Fire Marshall Parker Lathrop said that’s why there will be no fireworks over Aspen Mountain to celebrate Independence Day this year.
While Aspen Skiing Company can use snowmaking equipment to water the ski runs, the water won’t reach the brush on the hillsides.
“And the years that we have gotten small brush fires from fireworks, that’s where they end up,” Lathrop said.
The level one fire restrictions prohibit all fireworks - including smaller versions that are a 4th of July favorite. Campfires must be contained in established rings.
Projections for the next week and beyond show that typical monsoon storms are not developing, and Lathrop expects the fire danger will continue to rise.
“We know we’re getting drier; we know our potential for fire is going up,” he said. “We’re maybe not at that explosive point, so to speak, but we know that if our trend continues, it’s going to get worse.”
Aspen Fire works with the U.S. Forest Service and other agencies to monitor danger across the region. Red flag warnings are expected to continue this week.
