Local jurisdictions must be able to ban fireworks

With drought worsening across our state and fire season approaching, our local and county firefighters need help from the state Legislature and Gov. Susana Martinez. Our municipalities and counties have their hands tied in their efforts to prevent fires caused by fireworks. I encourage all state lawmakers to address this problem by supporting House Bill 373.

Under current state law, governing bodies of municipalities and counties such as Bernalillo County can only restrict the sale of certain fireworks, such as aerial fireworks and firecrackers, and only when “extreme” drought conditions exist.

In the interest of public safety, the law needs to be changed; municipal and county governments should have the authority to ban the sale and use of fireworks completely when reasonably necessary.

State Rep. Emily Kane, D-Albuquerque, recently introduced a bill, HB 373, which will give municipalities and counties greater flexibility to prevent these human-caused fires. HB 373 proposes amendments to the Fireworks Licensing and Safety Act. These amendments would allow any New Mexico municipality and county to enact emergency rules partially or completely restricting the sale and use of fireworks, including missile-type rockets, helicopters, aerial spinners, stick-type rockets and ground audible devices.

This bill will help the Bernalillo County Fire Department reduce the number of preventable fires, reduce the cost of fire suppression and reduce the threat to people and property.

With mountains around us, the Rio Grande bosque through our center and the largest population in the state, Bernalillo County is especially vulnerable.

In 2012, Bernalillo County experienced 89 wildland fires, four of which were directly caused by fireworks. The damage assessed to those fires totaled nearly $12,000.

Records show that in 2011 fireworks were responsible for three wildland fires resulting in up to $10,000 in damage. While not all fires, or even the majority of fires, are caused by fireworks, doing whatever we can to prevent these fires is just common sense.

It’s also important to note that the bill is in line with existing tools for fire prevention. For example, currently the county is able to control when and where people can use barbecue grills, burn weeds and smoke. Municipalities and counties should have the similar authority to restrict or ban fireworks.

Local jurisdictions know best their capabilities and levels of available resources — and when those capabilities and resources have been stretched beyond their limits. Municipalities and counties should have the ability and the authority to impose common-sense fire prevention measures to protect the lives and property of citizens.

Our state lawmakers should enact HB 373.