LAKEWOOD, Colo. — Firefighters across the Denver metro area had a busy day for Independence Day, with West Metro Fire Rescue crews responding to more than two dozen fires, most of which were caused by people setting off fireworks at night.

In a social media post on X, formerly Twitter, West Metro firefighters said one of the calls crews responded to involved a building fire where a family had “improperly disposed of used fireworks” by throwing them into a trash can in the garage. The fire caused minor damage, they said.

West Metro Fire officials said they responded to a total of 29 fires between 6 p.m. Thursday and 2 a.m. Friday.

The fire department warned the 300,000 residents of Lakewood, Morrison, Golden, Wheat Ridge and Edgewater, who are protected by the agency, to think twice before setting off fireworks this weekend because the area is at high risk for wildfires over the next few days.

The statement from West Metro Fire came hours after South Metro Fire Rescue said firefighters responded to 45 fires, most of which were caused by fireworks, between 6 p.m. and midnight.

In that district, an adult was seriously injured and a child suffered minor injuries in two separate incidents involving fireworks. Both were taken to hospital for treatment, but their conditions were not immediately known.

At least one of the fire crews responded to was sparked by fireworks, officials said. The blaze, which was located along the High Line Canal Trail along E. Quincy Ave. near the intersection with S. Colorado Blvd., grew to about 150×150 feet before it was completely extinguished around 6 a.m. Friday.

RELATED STORIES:

Thinking about using fireworks this weekend? Doctors say you should reconsider.
Dr. Benson Pulikkottil, medical director of the burn and reconstruction center at Swedish Medical Center, explained that the hospital sees fireworks injuries every year. He recalled that a few years ago, a patient came to the hospital after holding a firework for too long. It exploded in his hand, causing serious injuries.

“Your best fireworks show is a professional’s worst. So no matter how good you think your show is going to be, it’s never going to be as amazing as you think it is. And it comes with a lot of risk,” he told Denver7.

Are fireworks illegal in Colorado?

In Colorado, many types of fireworks are illegal, although this varies by county and city. Police departments often get a high volume of complaints, but that doesn’t usually translate into many tickets.

Denver Police Jay Casillas told Scripps News that in 2023, his department received 1,930 calls about fireworks in the three weeks leading up to July 4, but officers only issued four tickets.

Police must respond to higher priority calls, he explained.

Despite the large number of summonses, fines for fireworks remain low

A similar situation is occurring throughout the country.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission said about 9,700 people went to emergency rooms for fireworks-related injuries in 2023. Last year, eight people died in incidents involving fireworks.

In a report released in late June, the commission found that “fireworks-related injuries have generally increased between 2008 and 2023,” with the number peaking in 2020, Scripps News reported. Teens between the ages of 15 and 19 had the most hospitalizations, followed by children between the ages of 5 and 9.