As wildfires rage across Colorado, several Denver area counties and municipalities are gearing up to strictly enforce their fireworks ordinances

Independence Day fireworks bans in the Denver metro area have largely been enforced with a wink and a warning.

Despite tough ordinances threatening jail and stiff fines for illegal fireworks, relatively few residents are cited and the skies from the Jefferson County foothills to the Eastern Plains fill up with near constant bottle rocket explosions on July 4.

But this year, it may not be a good idea to rely on that unspoken agreement that municipalities will soft pedal its fireworks laws.

As wildfires rage across Colorado, several Denver area counties and municipalities are gearing up to strictly enforce their fireworks ordinances by investing in overtime for police officers and teaming firefighters with police.

“It will be different than it has been before,” said Julie Brooks, spokeswoman for the Arapahoe County Sheriff’s Department. “This year, we have a full ban of fireworks.”

The city of Aurora likewise implemented a total fireworks ban. Not only bottle rockets and Roman candles, but even sparklers, snakes and smoke bombs could trigger a citation.

Aurora police Chief Nick Metz tweeted Wednesday that his police officers may even arrest fireworks violators. These aren’t piddly fines either. A bottle rocket could bring a $2,650 fine in Aurora.

“Don’t endanger people’s lives (and property) to hear a few pops,” Metz said.

In Denver, police will team up with firefighters while doing fireworks patrols.

Brooks said extremely dry conditions led to the extraordinary fireworks restrictions in Arapahoe County.

Aurora has set up a special fireworks complaint hotline: 303-627-3100. Aurora police spokesman Bill Hummel said residents should not call 911 to report illegal fireworks.

Aurora has tasked extra patrols to firework ban enforcement. The city also has reserve officers in case the number of fireworks complaints overwhelm police patrols, Hummel said.

“Our goal is to ensure people are being safe,” Hummel said.

Jefferson County Sheriff’s Department has tasked an additional 55 deputies to do fireworks patrols on Wednesday and Thursday nights between 3 p.m. and 1 a.m., said Jenny Fulton, sheriff’s spokeswoman.

“Over the years we’ve gotten more and more complaints,” Fulton said.

Deputies will confiscate fireworks and issue a criminal summons, she said.

Commerce City passed an emergency ordinance earlier in June outlawing all fireworks. Fines range from $100 to $500 for first-time offenders to $750 for repeat offenders, said Julia Virnstein, Commerce City spokeswoman.

Denver police spokesman Sonny Jackson said although fireworks have been illegal for years, the city will strictly enforce the ban this year with extra patrols. Penalties for illegal fireworks in Denver are severe, with fines up to $999 and up to a year in jail, Jackson said.

Boulder County, where the Switzerland fire broke out Monday west of Boulder, also has banned all fireworks. Penalties for illegal fireworks could include a $1,000 fine and 90 days in jail.