The night sky over Montezuma County won’t be flashing with fireworks this summer until the county commissioners decide to lift their fire ban.

"We have an explosive situation right now," Montezuma County Commissioner Gene Story said Friday. "I have never seen (the county) this dry."

Story said that the fireworks ban comes as part of the county-wide fire ban that was reinstated on May 22 at the request of Montezuma County Sheriff Joey Chavez and Cortez Fire Marshal Frank Cavaliere.

The ban puts a halt on burning ditches, crop fields, trash piles and campfires as well as setting off fireworks. "This means no fireworks of any kind — including sparklers — in the unincorporated parts of the county," said Story.

The ban does not include fires contained in an incinerator-type enclosure such as a trash can.

Cavaliere said that within the city limits, fireworks which contain an audible device, have a fountain or cone, or emit sparks into the air are illegal throughout the year.

"The only things that are legal in the city are sparklers, smoke devices like the worms, and bang snaps," Cavaliere said.

Cavaliere said the city has a special permit for professional fireworks displays, including the one offered on the Fourth of July.

City Market, which sells a variety of fireworks including sparklers, cone fountains and smoke balls, has pulled all of the fireworks from its shelves until the ban is lifted, accordiing to a news release issued Friday.

On Thursday, Gov. Bill Owens said that he was considering a statewide ban on fireworks and open fires. Owens said that he was concerned about the tinder-dry conditions throughout Colorado as Independence Day approaches.

"We’re going to be looking at whether anything needs to be done," Owens said. "I have the authority to make (a ban) statewide, but if county commissioners on the ground don’t see the need for it, I’m not sure I want to supersede that."

Story said that the Montezuma County fire ban will be lifted only after the commissioners receive a recommendation to do so from the sheriff and the Cortez fire marshal.