With the Fourth of July on Friday, all local law enforcement agencies are urging the public to use extreme caution regarding the use of fireworks. All fireworks are illegal on all Forest Service and BLM lands, and the Bishop Tribal Police Department has established a Zero Tolerance for the use of Illegal Fireworks on the Bishop Paiute Indian Reservation.

A press release states that while the Bishop Tribal Police Department wants everyone to enjoy the Fourth of July Holiday they are warning individuals that under the Bishop Paiute Tribe’s Nuisance Ordinance the use of Illegal Fireworks is a citable offense, and each citation carries a possible fine of up to five hundred dollars ($500.00).

The press release also notes that with the extremely dry conditions that exist even a small spark can cause a fire.

The Town of Mammoth Lakes reminds residents and visitors that all fireworks are prohibited in the Town of Mammoth Lakes, and there will be a zero tolerance policy with respect to the possession and use of fireworks.

Let’s be careful out there.

There will be fireworks shows throughout the Eastern Sierra on the 4th of July, including the Independence Airport and the Eastern Sierra Regional Airport in Bishop, as well the fireworks show at Crowley Lake.  Celebrations take place in almost every town from Bridgeport to Lone Pine.

For information on the Crowley Lakes Fireworks show, call the Crowley Lake Fish Camp at 760-935-4301 or check out the Town of Mammoth Lakes website.

For information on the day-long celebration in Independence, call 760-937-8144.

The annual Big Pine Fireman’s 4th of July Fun Run and Breakfast will start off the day in Big Pine, which also includes a chili cookoff and salsa contest at Mendenhall Park. For more information, call 760-937-1146.

Law enforcement agencies in Inyo County will enforce no-parking zones along some city streets and canal roads during the 4th of July and into Saturday.

The town of Independence offers a full day of events – breakfast at Dehy Park, an arts and craft show at the courthouse, kids games and a spectacular fireworks show at the airport at dusk.

And a reminder about the Mammoth Lakes 4th of July Parade, always a festive time celebrating our nation’s birthday. Chuck Scatolini  and Bob Todd will be at their usual spot on Main St., in front of Kittredge Sports and, across from Mammoth Liquor.

The parade starts at 11 am, and this year the route is reversed, starting on Old Mammoth Road before going up Main St.

After the parade, folks might want to check out the Fire Safety Fun Festival at the US Forest Service Station at Main St. and Sawmill Cutoff Road, by Shady Rest Park. Smokey Bear will be there, helping to commemorate his 70th birthday.

So plenty of activities, including Death Valley Railroad Car running at Laws Railroad Museum, this holiday weekend.

If you’d like to get a jump on the celebrating, the Paiute Palace Casino will be its Fireworks Extravaganza Thursday night, with live music and a food and craft fair.

Happy Birthday America….