County Offers McGee Park as Safe Fireworks Site

From dark on Sunday, June 20, until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The parking lot at the southeast corner of County Road 5500 and US 64 is available for anyone to come and light fireworks away from fire danger and following County Commission firework restrictions. The restrictions were passed on May 25 and go into effect June 20, 2021, the day fireworks go on sale.

June 24, 2021

From San Juan County:

This Independence Day, San Juan County invites you to light your fireworks in the parking lot of McGee Park.

San Juan County will open the north parking lot of McGee Park for people to light fireworks from dark on Sunday, June 20, until 10:00 p.m. on Saturday, July 10, 2021. The parking lot at the southeast corner of County Road 5500 and US 64 is available for anyone to come and light fireworks away from fire danger and following County Commission firework restrictions. The restrictions were passed on May 25 and go into effect June 20, 2021, the day fireworks go on sale. The San Juan County Commission proclamation prohibits the sale of certain fireworks, the use of fireworks on lands covered wholly or in part by timber, brush, grass, grain or other flammable vegetation, and makes fireworks only legal to use on barren or paved ground, with a water source readily available.

Space in the McGee Park parking lot is first-come, first-serve, and alcohol is not allowed. San Juan County will provide a large dumpster to dispose of used fireworks, and the lights in the parking lot will be off at night. San Juan County Fire Department recommends bringing water to drown spent fireworks, and a fire extinguisher. All we ask is that you clean up your spent fireworks and any trash before you leave the parking lot.

Additionally, the San Juan County Fire & Rescue has some important reminders for anyone lighting fireworks this year:

ALWAYS light fireworks on paved or barren, flat ground.

ALWAYS read and follow label directions

ALWAYS light fireworks outside.

ALWAYS have a readily available water source.

ALWAYS light one firework at a time.

ALWAYS dispose of fireworks properly.

NEVER relight fireworks that didn’t go off.

NEVER let small children handle fireworks.

NEVER throw fireworks.

NEVER shoot fireworks in metal or glass containers.

Each jurisdiction has its own firework restrictions in place. It is important to know the rules for your city or town and buy fireworks in the jurisdiction you plan to light them. If there is ever any emergency, please call 911.