The Rock Springs City Council has formally approved changing the location of the Fourth of July Fireworks Display to Western Wyoming Community College.
During their meeting Tuesday, the council voted to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with Western Wyoming Community College for the fireworks display.
Councilman Tim Savage was the only one the vote against the resolution.
Despite their “yes” votes, Councilman Rob Zotti and Mayor Carl Demshar both expressed concern about how the move may impact the surrounding area. Councilman Zotti was worried that some people living in the area of the college may choose to light off their own fireworks. Mayor Carl Demshar said he received multiple calls about the change. Mayor Demshar said he heard concern that people may choose to utilize empty lots in the area to set off fireworks—leaving behind empty fireworks cartridges and other trash.
Police Chief Dwane Pacheco told the council that fireworks are prohibited within city limits, and the department will be increasing patrols in that area on the Fourth of July.
Fire Chief Jim Wamsley told the Council that a fire engine will be in the area during the display just in case a fire does break out. He added that local fire authorities plan to have a “concerted, unified approach to fire suppression” for the holiday.
“We are meeting as a group of fire chiefs in the county next week to basically sit down and delineate how we are going to approach the fire suppression activities on the Fourth of July, coordinating those amongst the various entities,” said Wamsley.
Wamsley said he encourages people not to set off their own fireworks, but rather to enjoy the ones already planned.
“We recommend that people just sit back and watch the really nice ones that are being sponsored by the city. They do a much better job than anybody does in their backyard,” added Wamsley.
Mayor Demshar said he believes the move to Western may concentrate the firework activity, rather than seeing such a large spread of activity that they have seen when fireworks were held at the Events Complex.
“I think your plan is a good one,” he told Chief Pacheco. “And I would encourage the police department to patrol that area quite heavily.”
Mayor Demshar said he identifies benefits of the new location. He said a central location on a hill will provide better viewing from most areas of Rock Springs.