Farmington urges residents to avoid using fireworks

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.- The Farmington City Council passed a resolution that urges people to limit the use of legal fireworks this year.

Due to the dry conditions, police and firefighters will issue citations and not warnings.

"It just means that you have to use them in a barren area and there has to be water available," said Brandy Vega, Fire Marshall with the Farmington Fire Department. "We don’t issue burn permits during exceptional or extreme drought, so there is no burning within the city.”

The city will have their annual fireworks display on July 3. Fire officials encourage the public to attend that instead of lighting their own fireworks.

Citations can come with a fine up to $500 and jail time.

Fireworks go on sale June 20.

There are fireworks that are restricted within city limits

"The ones that are the most hazardous are ones that fly through the air, anything you can’t control– Chinese lanterns, bottle rockets area devices or anything like that that can’t be controlled by putting water on it right in front of you or handheld," Vega said.

The resolution also urges people to avoid any form of open burning. The proclamation is in effect for 30 days, but can be extended if dry conditions continue.