Despite precautions, trash already a problem for Montana Vista residents

Fireworks are allowed in unincorporated areas of El Paso County this year. Some people who live in those communities are worried about the trash and hazards that come along with popping off fireworks, so they’re trying to make it as organized as possible.

Members of the far east Montana Vista business association are offering paid parking spots to visitors – Montana Tires, East Montana Center and the Sky Room Special Events Centre. Each lot will charge a $5 fee to park. The lots are supervised by security guards, and porta-potties are available.

But even with all the preparations and precautions, the trash was already piling up before Monday in some areas – like empty lots just off Montana Avenue in Montana Vista.

“People who don’t live here, they just come, make the mess, walk away, and we’re stuck with it,” said Juan Martinez.

Martinez lives in Montana Vista, and was working with other residents to set up some of those designated lots. But with the trash already piling up, they may not bother actually running it.

“This was done yesterday,” Martinez said. “Yesterday was (July 3) and todays the main day. So you know it’s going to get worse.”

On the empty lot near Montana Avenue and Krag street Monday during the day, you could see the kind of scene that residents in Montana Vista were hoping to avoid this year. Fireworks of all kinds including tubes, launchers, sparklers, parachutes and more littered the ground after being shot off, along with beer bottles and pizza boxes. But there’s even more just left out like unused artillery shells, ready to be lit.

“You see, this is bad because they don’t clean up,” Martinez said. “If the wind comes, it’s going to blow right to my house over there. And now I’ve got to pick up their mess. I didn’t even buy a roll of firecrackers because I’ve got to clean my yard. And now I’ve got to clean up somebody else’s mess.

El Paso Fire Department battalion chief Robert Diaz said that if you are going to shoot fireworks, make sure to take enough water and pick up after yourself.

“You can also make sure they’re extinguished by putting water on them,” Diaz said. “And pick them up. Pick them up and put them in a container, a metal container. Because I’m sure that the people out there in the county will appreciate you picking up after yourselves.”

While fireworks are legal this year in the county, the city of El Paso still bans them. You can be fined up to $2,000 dollars for having fireworks within city limits.