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CNN Live At Daybreak

Colorado Towns Cancelling Fireworks Displays

Aired July 04, 2002 - 06:37   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: In Colorado, some of the people evacuated because of those wildfires are being allowed to return to their homes. Fearing that sparks could touch off more fires, many towns have canceled traditional Independence Day fireworks shows.

CNN's Kimberly Osias has details from Boulder, Colorado.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KIMBERLY OSIAS, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Pristine mountain ranges, clear, sunny skies, a picture postcard of Colorado, one hard won, because in the face of fire, Mother Nature didn't have enough tears to shed.

(on camera): After weeks of fire and smoke filled skies, fewer people are willing to run the risk of creating another disaster just for fun.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: I'd hate to see people coming down to see the fireworks, to get the real fireworks and then have a fire break out.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I think everybody wants to celebrate the July Fourth, but considering where we are as far as the fire dangers, you're taking a real chance.

OSIAS (voice-over): Water is hard to find in these sun dried forests and with an active burn ban still in effect, Colorado's governor made the call to take the pop out of the show.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We have decided to put together a mind blowing laser light show, probably the wave of the future for the Fourth of July.

OSIAS: A color palette half a million in breadth on a 70 foot giant screen, a next gen technological leap.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It's going to be pretty Star Wars-esque. It's going to be a lot like when Yoda threw down with the bad guys.

OSIAS: Well, maybe not exactly. Try a more Americana theme, choreographed to a symphony playing John Phillips Sousa and the like. But not everyone is sold on the idea. UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: The chance of it starting, them staring a fire is probably pretty remote. But I think that, you know, it's maybe the politically correct thing to do this year.

OSIAS: In Boulder, Kimberly Osias reporting.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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