City promises big consequences if fireworks spark fires

July 02, 2011

absolutely no lighting fireworks in the rio grande bosque - or any of albuquerque's open space areas. doing so could earn you not only a felony conviction.... but financial ruin on top of it all. stuart dyson is live at the bosque's edge in barelas - with what's at stake here. the bosque remains closed - just being in there could get you a five hundred dollar fine and ninety days in the slammer - ditto if you're lighting up or even possessing fireworks in there - but it can get worse - much much worse - in a hurry. let's say your fireworks start a fire like the one a 14 year old kid started with a lighter last night - and let's say it burns ten acres and a couple of houses - now you're looking at negligent arson - a 3rd degree felony punishable by 18 months in prison and a five thousand dollar fine. " you might just become a convicted felon - because we'll go after you - and there's another added bonus - we'll go after you civilly as well - and that means you could be othe hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars." the few fireworks shoppers we found today didn't have a clue about those penalties - but they know conditions are dangerous. " q: so you went shopping but you didn't buy any fireworks - how come? a: because it's too dry. q: it's too dry? a: yes - dry - i'm afraid of something happening - they blame me for something cause i've got a kid - i've got grandkids. q: just decided it's to much of a risk for fire? a: exactly!" to many of the guys and gals selling this stuff it's a matter of personal responsibility. " you know how they say like guns don't kill people - people kill people? - well fireworks don't start fires - people start fires - so that's what i'm thinking. q: your message for your customers is responsibility? a: yeah - they have to be responsible with their own stuff - use common sense." 4th of july cocktail - fireworks - open space - flames - damage - fines - jail - misdemeanors - felonies - prison - bankruptcy! " if you go out here and you're setting off fireworks - it's beyond stupid!" police - firefighters - open space rangers all out in force - the holiday weekend is well under way - in the bosque stuart dyson k-o-b eyewitness news four.