GILLETTE, Wyo. — A countywide fireworks ban will be temporarily lifted after Christmas following a decision by the Campbell County commissioners this week.
During their meeting on Nov. 21, the commissioners approved a resolution staying the in-place fireworks ban from 12:01 a.m. Dec. 26 to 12:01 a.m. Jan. 2, allowing residents to purchase and set off fireworks in celebration of the new year outside of Gillette city limits.
Ahead of the resolution’s approval, Six Flags Fireworks Owner Randy Sinclair addressed the commissioners in favor of lifting the ban, stating he had run the idea by the Campbell County Fire Department prior to the meeting.
While he and the CCFD share the same concerns over how dry November has been, then-approaching moisture in the form of a winter storm alleviated some of those concerns.
Campbell County Fire Chief Bender advised the commissioners that his department’s comfort level for lifting the ban rested largely on their approved authority to put the fireworks restrictions back in place if conditions worsen by Dec. 26.
Commissioner Del Shelstad pointed out that the National Weather Service is expecting warmer and drier conditions this year, stating he was in favor of lifting the fireworks ban as long as they kept an eye on conditions.
“If we can manage it and the fire department can keep abreast of changing conditions, I’m all for it,” Shelstad said.
