KINGMAN – 4th of July Fireworks:A fireworks show for the whole family.The fireworks are launched from the Mohave County Fairgrounds, but entrance into the Fairgrounds will not be permitted this year. Please view the fireworks show from another location. Fireworks begin at 9:00 pm. For more information, contact 928-753-2636.
LAKE HAVASU CITY – Independence Day is celebrated with a different flare this year. The celebration requires an effort from residents and visitors to be responsible and respectful by maintaining physical distance, in accordance with CDC recommendations. The community is invited to enjoy the fireworks show from their cars, boats, homes, city parks and other vantage points that allow for social distancing on Saturday, July 4th, scheduled to start at 9:00 p.m. and last approximately 15 minutes.
Signs are posted across the community to help remind everyone of the need to allow for proper physical distancing, staying home if sick, and the importance of wearing a mask if interacting with others. Spectators are encouraged to stay within their provided space to enjoy the show.
Additional information regarding the fireworks activities can be followed the evening of the show by listening to local radio stations, KNTR 980AM. During the fireworks show music will be choreographed on this station.
It is our goal to commemorate America’s Independence in a meaningful way, while creating a safe environment for our residents and visitors.
For more information on this year’s Independence Day Celebration, visit www.Golakehavasu.com or call (928)-453-4152.
LAKE HAVASU CITY – A coalition of federal land management agencies in Western Arizona, including the Bureau of Land Management (BLM), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and Bureau of Reclamation, is urging “Responsible Recreation” for the upcoming July 4th holiday weekend. An active wildland fire season and the COVID-19 pandemic have combined to create an unprecedented situation that requires outdoor enthusiasts plan ahead and prioritize safety.
Lake Havasu and other Western Arizona public lands are experiencing higher than normal recreation use as people look for safe and healthy outdoor activities consistent with public health recommendations. While getting outdoors is great for physical and mental health, many areas have seen an increase in fire risk, trash dumping and other unsafe or damaging behavior.
“We are expecting a very busy weekend at Lake Havasu and across the BLM’s Colorado River District this weekend, so we are encouraging the public to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable 4th of July,” said District Manager William Mack. “We encourage the public to safely enjoy their public lands during the holiday weekend by following fire restrictions, recreation guidelines, as well as public health guidelines.”
“We welcome visitors to Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge to experience the wildness of the Sonoran Desert and the famous El Camino del Diablo. While the visitor center is currently closed due to Covid-19, there are a number of outdoor recreation opportunities such as landscape and wildlife photography, hiking, and primitive camping on the 860,000-acre refuge,” said Refuge Manager Sid Slone. “We highly recommend you visit our website to plan your visit and learn how to obtain a free access permit. Please follow current fire restrictions while camping.”
Together, the coalition urges the following steps:
Before you head out on your excursion:
• Know Before You Go: Check the status of the place you want to visit. If it is closed, don’t go. Fires in the area and other incidents have impacted access to popular areas.
• Plan Ahead: Prepare for some visitor centers and restrooms to be closed, so bring essentials like extra water, sun protection, hand sanitizer, and a face covering.
• Research local county or municipal face covering requirements in the areas you are visiting.
Once You’re Outside:
• Reduce Fire Risk: Follow all applicable fire restrictions. Fireworks, exploding targets, tracer ammunition and other incendiary devices are prohibited on most federally managed public land in Arizona. To learn more about fire restrictions in Arizona: https://wildlandfire.az.gov/.
Practice Physical Distancing: Adventure only with your immediate household. Be prepared to cover your nose and mouth and give others space. If you are sick, stay home.
• Play It Safe: Slow down and choose lower-risk activities to reduce your risk of injury.
• Leave No Trace: Respect public lands and communities. Take all your garbage out with you.
The message to the Western Arizona community builds off the work of a national coalition that has come together to provide advice for recreating responsibility. Learn more at https://www.recreateresponsibly.org/. The Arizona Office of Tourism is maintaining links to up-to-date information about what parks and recreation areas are available: https://tourism.az.gov/responsible-recreation-across-arizona/
To learn more about each agency, obtain passes or find recreational public lands in your area, please visit:
Bureau of Reclamation – https://www.usbr.gov/
Bureau of Land Management – https://www.blm.gov/arizona
US Fish and Wildlife Service – https://www.fws.gov/
AZGFD, partner agencies to spread word about dangers of drinking while boating
Operation Dry Water initiative aims to reduce accidents, fatalities
The Arizona Game and Fish Department (AZGFD) and partner agencies will be patrolling Arizona’s lakes this Fourth of July weekend to provide heightened enforcement and awareness about the dangers of drinking alcohol while boating.
The goal of “Operation Dry Water” is to reduce the number of alcohol and/or drug-related fatalities and accidents by spreading this important message to the public: Drinking and boating is a potentially deadly combination.
“The number one priority is to create a safe environment for everyone who is out enjoying Arizona’s waterways,” said Danny Rodriguez, watercraft law administrator. “If alcohol is being consumed on your boat, always designate a sober operator. It’s no different from driving a car on the highway; the operator is responsible for everyone onboard the boat.”
During last year’s Operation Dry Water campaign, Arizona law enforcement officers stopped 2,966 boaters, made 12 arrests for operating watercraft while under the influence, and wrote 156 citations. Nationwide, more than 271,000 boats were stopped and 563 arrests were made for boating under the influence.
While the main focus of the campaign is geared toward those who operate a boat under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, officers may also give warnings and write citations for other issues, including operation, fire extinguisher and life jacket violations. Arizona state law requires that children 12 and under must wear a life jacket at all times when the boat is underway, and there must be one life jacket onboard for every passenger. In addition, a throwable flotation device, usually a cushion with handles or a ring buoy, is required for all watercraft longer than 16 feet (except for canoes and kayaks).
Operation Dry Water was launched in 2009 by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators in partnership with the United States Coast Guard (USCG). The initiative is credited with removing more than 4,000 impaired operators from the nation’s waterways.
AZGFD has always been an Operation Dry Water partner. “Anything that helps to prevent fatalities and injuries in Arizona is a valuable investment of our time and resources,” Rodriguez said.
| In 2019, the USCG reported that alcohol was the top contributing factor in fatal boating accidents, and that sun, wind, noise, vibration and motion of the boat can intensify the side effects of alcohol, drugs and some medications. |
