国际英语资讯:Independence Day weekend celebrations diminish in U.S. West_时事

国际英语资讯:Independence Day weekend celebrations diminish in U.S. West

In the Rocky Mountains state of Colorado, officials were more worried about possible wildfires triggered by fireworks due to the record drought, than people gathering and violating COVID-19 distancing.

Called a "megadrought" in an April study by Columbia University, a vast region covering nine states from California to Colorado is experiencing the second longest drought in 1,200 years, the report said.

And indeed, 2020 has seen a continuation of record-low precipitation throughout the west, according to the National Weather Service, especially in Colorado, prompting fire departments in the mountains to impose fire bans back in March.

Some 38 jurisdictions across Colorado banned fireworks, with Boulder and Denver threatening fines up to 2,600 U.S. dollars for violators, NBC9 News Denver reported.

Still, despite the dangerous conditions, a number of firework displays took place on the flat, eastern half of the state, including Colorado Springs, Firestone, Greeley, and Loveland.

But to the west, in the vast Rocky Mountains, only one municipality took the risk of starting a wildfire - the high-elevation ski resort town of Vail, situated at 8,000-feet allowed fireworks to occur after dark.

"Certainly, strange in Denver without the Rockies and no fireworks display at Coors Field, and no display from the Outlaws at Mile High," CBS4 meteorologist Ashton Altieri said of the absence of the usual music, parades and fireworks in Colorado's capital city.