Dept. of Game, Fish and Parks
For Immediate Release: Wednesday, June 27, 2001
For more information:  Amy Urban, 773-4235

NO FIREWORKS ALLOWED IN STATE PARKS

PIERRE – The Fourth of July holiday is always a busy time in South Dakota's state parks and recreation areas, and Game, Fish and Parks officials are asking everyone attending these areas to please leave their fireworks at home.

State Parks Director Doug Hofer said discharging fireworks is prohibited on all lands owned or leased by the Department of Game, Fish and Parks. The ban includes state parks, recreation areas, lakeside use areas, game production areas and nature areas. Discharging fireworks is also illegal within the exterior boundaries of the Black Hills forest fire protection district, national forests and national parks within South Dakota.

"The state’s campgrounds will be bustling with activity during the Fourth of July holiday," Hofer noted, "and combining fireworks and large numbers of people creates a dangerous situation. It also creates a serious fire hazard in parks that have an abundance of dry vegetation. All in all, our parks are safer and more enjoyable if fireworks are simply kept out of the parks areas."

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