Montrose Police Department announced on Facebook Sunday, amid concern for wildfire conditions in the area, the Fourth of July fireworks show at Riverbottom Park would be postponed to a later date.
Telluride last week canceled its own fireworks display. The Town of Ouray on Sunday also announced the cancelation of its fireworks show.
See the full statement from the Montrose Police Department below:
The City of Montrose in consultation with leaders from the Montrose Fire Protection District, Montrose County Sheriff’s Office, Montrose County, and other emergency management officials, made the decision today to postpone the 4th of July community fireworks display in Riverbottom Park. The City of Montrose will also prohibit the sale of fireworks within the city limits effective on Monday, June 29, 2026 at 12 p.m.
This year’s extreme wildfire conditions and nearby emergencies have created a more volatile situation in the City of Montrose and nearby surrounding area than previous years. The current and projected high temperatures, combined with low fuel moisture content and high winds, present a hazardous and dangerous situation for the region. The forecast for this week calls for more hot, dry, and windy conditions to include the possibility of temperatures in the low to mid 90’s during the latter part of the week and into the 4th of July weekend. Surrounding counties and federal lands are currently under Stage-1 fire restrictions and will likely be moving to Stage-2 fire restrictions soon.
Fire protection resource availability is another significant concern given the fire activity in the region. In previous years, the Montrose Fire Protection District has relied on local, state, and federal mutual aid partners to assist with fire related incidents. With multiple large scale and resource intensive fires now active on the Western Slope, including the fire occurring in Ouray County, many of these resources are not available to assist with fire protection activities in Montrose.
Because of the current strain on fire protection resources and with the safety of the public as our primary concern, the City of Montrose is postponing the July 4th community fireworks display until a future date when weather conditions are favorable. The parade on Main Street, free concert and family-friendly events at the Montrose Rotary Amphitheater will continue as planned.
To report a fire, or other emergency, contact 911, or dispatch at 970-249-9110
