Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue warns against fireworks in unincorporated areas ahead of Fourth of July

William Harris of Bernalillo County Fire and Rescue urged residents to "celebrate safely and legally" ahead of the Fourth of July, saying fireworks are banned in unincorporated Bernalillo County because they pose a serious fire danger.

Harris told the meeting that "Just 1 spark can destroy thousands of acres and put lives at risk," and added that fireworks also "cause panic in pets and trigger PTSD for many veterans." He urged residents to celebrate in ways that protect people, animals and property.

The announcement identified the location of the ban as the unincorporated areas of Bernalillo County; no ordinance number or citation was provided during the remarks. Harris made the comments as the holiday approached and asked the public to follow the legal restrictions to reduce fire risk and community harm.

The remarks were delivered as public safety guidance rather than a formal agenda action; the transcript does not record any vote, enforcement action, or additional details about penalties or permit processes. Officials did not specify hours of the ban, exemptions, or the agency responsible for enforcement during these remarks.

The department emphasized two public-safety concerns: the potential for a single spark to start large wildfires and the non-fire impacts of fireworks, including stress to animals and people with post-traumatic stress disorder. No additional mitigation programs, funding, or targeted outreach plans were described in the transcript.