Use of fireworks temporarily banned in Pima County
Reporter: Jessica Chapin
Web Producer: Ina Ronquillo
PIMA COUNTY, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) - This Independence Day, Pima County residents will not be free to celebrate with fire. The Pima County Board of Supervisors unanimously passed a temporary ban on fireworks.
The temporary resolution bans the use of all fireworks until weather conditions improve. They have also revoked permits for professional shows in unincorporated Pima County.
Pima County Sheriff Clarence Dupnik says they're even putting together a task force to enforce the law, and they will have a very short fuse for violators.
"I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out that this is not a good idea to have fireworks at this time of the year when things are so dry," he said, "we're not going to give them tickets, we're not going to give them warnings. We're going to put them in jail."
Setting off fireworks in the county limits will be considered a class 3 misdemeanor, punishable by up to 30 days in jail or fines up to $500.
Pima isn't the only county in Southern Arizona banning fireworks this year. Cochise County passed a ban last week in light of the Monument Wildfire. Pinal County leaders will consider a ban during their Wednesday meeting, and Santa Cruz county regulations remain the same, but they may consider banning fireworks at their next meeting.
There are a few places Tucsonans can see regular annual fireworks displays. A Mountain, Kino Stadium, and Star Pass will still hold their celebrations. So will Diamond Desert and Casino Del Sol casinos. A laser light spectacular will replace a fireworks show at the Ritz-Carlton, Dove Mountain.
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