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Despite conditions, Craig Fire/Rescue moves forward with Fourth of July display

Joshua Gordon
Spectators brought out camping chairs and umbrellas to watch the Fourth of July fireworks show Sunday at Moffat County High School. Some people arrived more than an hour before the show to make sure they had a front row seat.
Shawn McHugh

Rain showers were no match for the fireworks display put on by Craig Fire/Rescue on Sunday night.

People gathered with family and friends at the Moffat County High School parking lot and enjoyed the Fourth of July festivities.

Folding chairs were set out and blankets were used by some, while others stayed in their cars to stay warm and enjoy the show.



Craig resident Mike Pigsley said he comes out every year to enjoy the fireworks, no matter the weather.

“I brought my daughter out and we just didn’t worry about the rain,” he said. “This is my time with her. She’s my little buddy.”



Debbie Hansen agreed that coming to the school for the fireworks display was an annual happening.

“I have been coming up here to the school for 10 years to watch the fireworks,” Hansen said. “These are awesome fireworks, really.”

Acknowledging the weather, Hansen said that it was Colorado weather and it can change every 10 minutes.

“I just can’t believe it is this cold in July,” she said. “But, I wouldn’t miss the fireworks over it.”

Fire Chief Bill Johnston said the fireworks were almost called off due to the weather, but in the end, he felt that everyone would be safe enough to let the show go on.

“We had until about 8 p.m. to decide if we were going to go ahead,” he said. “It took us until about 7:30 p.m., but we wanted to be able to do the fireworks.”

About 18 firefighters from Craig Fire/Rescue came out to staff the show and, with the help of the Bureau of Land Management and the Moffat County’ Sheriff’s Office, keep any hazardous conditions under control.

Johnston said there were around 1,200 fireworks, including the finale, which took about 30 minutes to shoot off.

To keep everyone safe, the firefighters set up safety zones, otherwise known as “hot zones,” or the area used to shoot the fireworks, and fall out zones, predicted areas of falling debris.

With all safety concerns under control, people gathered a couple of hours early to get a good seat.

Daniel Wilkinson, of Craig, said he and his family and friends came out to the parking lot around 8 p.m.

“It’s a great event to just have some fun with people you like to spend time with,” he said. “Going to watch fireworks is a tradition.”


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