Start a Fire, Go to Jail, Be Sued

La Plata, CO – With new fires breaking out daily La Plata County Sheriff’s Office issued a word of caution: Anyone who decides to violate the well publicized Colorado Governor’s and La Plata County Commissioners’ bans on fires, including fireworks, could find themselves in jail.

“At the least, people setting off fireworks will be issued a summons which carries a $300.00 fine.” said Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Dan Bender. “If their fireworks starts a fire that damages other persons’ property or places people in danger, they could be arrested for a felony under Colorado’s Arson laws. Besides criminal charges, a person responsible for starting a damaging fire could be sued for the costs of fire suppression and for the loss of property.” Bender said.

Bender pointed out that public fireworks displays in La Plata County and in Silverton have been cancelled due to the extreme fire danger we are currently facing. Those planned fireworks all would have had local fire departments standing by on-scene and it was still deemed too much of a risk.

The use of fireworks by individuals would not only be illegal but would put area residents and visitors in danger.

And people are watching. Bender said, “Our Emergency Dispatch Center is receiving multiple phone calls from citizens whenever they see a charcoal BBQ lit, a cigarette discarded or any other activity that may might be a fire hazard. You can count on illegal use of fireworks being reported. Deputies will strictly enforce any violations that puts our community at risk”.