BLM, city, county provide safe area for fireworks near Worland

WORLAND – As per usual for the Worland Fourth of July celebration, the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) Worland Field office will be temporarily lifting the fireworks ban on public lands for the holiday.

According to a news release from the Worland BLM office, the use of fireworks will be permitted July 1-5 5 at a gravel pit northeast of Worland. Fireworks use is permitted within this gravel pit and not on the Fifteen Mile Road or gravel pits north of the landfill.

“The BLM is committed to providing a safe place on public land for people to use fireworks this Fourth of July,” said BLM Worland Field Manager Mike Phillips. “The first gravel pit along the road to the landfill is a good location because the area poses a low risk of wildland fire occurrence.”  

Fireworks use is still prohibited within city limits.

According to the news release, the BLM’s partnerships with the city of Worland, Worland Fire Protection District No. 1 and Washakie County will enable an integrated approach to fire management, emergency medical services and law enforcement during the holiday weekend.

The BLM asks that those who decide to use the gravel pit properly dispose of litter and avoid the portions of the gravel pit that have been reclaimed and reseeded to allow for the re-establishment of vegetation in the sensitive areas.

The Wind River/Big Horn Basin District fire crew will staff engines throughout the district to provide a quick response if any wildfires are started by fireworks as an extra precaution, according to the news release.

FIREWORKS SAFETY

According to fireworks.com, children should not handle fireworks. The website also says not to use alcohol with fireworks.

The website recommends following the laws and using common sense and purchasing your fireworks from reliable, licensed sources.

Fireworks should be used on a hard, flat and level surface to ensure the stability of the item.

According to the website, you should use fireworks in a clear, open area away from the audience.

More safety tips and training videos are available on the website.

FIREWORK SHOWS

Ten Sleep Brewery will have a fireworks show on Saturday, July 2 starting at 7 p.m.

The town of Ten Sleep will have their own fireworks show on July 3 starting at dusk.

The Thermopolis Fire Department will be having their annual Fourth of July fireworks on T-Hill.