MOUNT RUSHMORE NATIONAL MEMORIAL, S.D.-
The weather and fuel moisture conditions will be key factors when a decision is made to start or postpone the Independence Day fireworks celebration at Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
With a forecast of hot and dry conditions through the weekend, and 20 fires in the Black Hills National Forest in the last two weeks, memorial officials will determine if conditions are within allowable limits to start igniting 2 tons of pyrotechnics Monday evening.
An environmental assessment completed by Mount Rushmore in 2003 outlined the steps necessary before beginning the fireworks show. If conditions are outside acceptable limits, such as winds greater than 15 mph, the fireworks show could be delayed up to 10 o'clock Monday evening or postponed until July 4.
"We understand the frustration people would feel after waiting hours for the fireworks to begin if we are forced into a delay or postponement. However, the environmental assessment has some very strict criteria that need to be met before we can begin the fireworks portion of the program," said Gerard Baker, the superintendent at Mount Rushmore. "Safety is always our number one concern. Last year we were not within allowable limits until 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the program."
Experts on fire behavior and weather will be on hand to analyze fuel and weather conditions and review years of weather and fire data. They'll also study current data from the memorial's fire weather station and an onsite survey of the forest at Mount Rushmore, according to the National Park Service.
If the danger of a wildfire is too great, the fireworks display will be postponed.
Fire units from a number of volunteer fire departments in the area will be on hand, Baker said. If any of them are called away to a fire, the fireworks show would be canceled or postponed, he said.
The 4,300 pounds of fireworks will cap a day of entertainment on three stages located throughout the memorial.
