The grand finale to Colfax’s annual Independence Day celebration has been cancelled, announced City Manager Joan Phillipe on Monday.

After meeting with Cal Fire Unit Chief Brad Harris, Phillipe said, the decision was made to call off the fireworks display.

“There’s a lack of resources available,” she said.

Typically, she explained, other fire departments are on hand to help put out fires that may be sparked by fireworks. However, many departments are helping fight the numerous wildland fires burning throughout the state.

“This year is just not a good time (for fireworks),” she said.

Fireworks of all sizes and types have been banned in unincorporated areas of Placer County because of the fire risks they create.

The only exception is displays approved by county officials and put on by pyrotechnic companies licensed by the California State Fire Marshal.

As a result of the ban, fireworks are not sold at roadside stands in unincorporated areas of Placer County.

The ban also makes it illegal to discharge fireworks in unincorporated areas even if they were purchased legally at roadside stands in local cities or other jurisdictions throughout the region that allow fireworks.

Some cities within Placer County allow Safe and Sane fireworks.

Placer County’s ban on fireworks applies to unincorporated communities such as Alta, Applegate, Dutch Flat, Foresthill, Granite Bay, Meadow Vista, Newcastle, Penryn and Sheridan.

Unincorporated communities at North Lake Tahoe where the ban applies include Carnelian Bay, Homewood, Kings Beach and Tahoe City.

Open fire restrictions will go into effect Tuesday.

Both the Bureau of Land Management and Cal Fire have implemented fire restrictions throughout the area.

All burn permits have been suspended. This action is being taken to reduce the number of escape fires, believe Cal Fire officials.

“Due to unseasonably dry fuel conditions and low moisture, I advise all residents to take the time now to protect their homes from wildfires by creating a defensible space,” said Cal Fire Unit Chief Brad Harris.

The restrictions also prohibit all open fires on public lands because of extremely dry conditions, reports Brian Mulhollen, fuels management specialist with the Bureau of Land Management.

“We saw fire fuel conditions in June that we usually don’t see until August,” he said. “We would like to emphasize, with the July 4 holiday approaching, that all fireworks are prohibited.

Campers must obtain a California campfire permit for all fires while visiting public lands. They are available free of charge at any BLM, Forest Service or California Department of Forestry Office.

Other restrictions that apply while visiting public lands include:

· No open fires, campfires or open fire stoves, except lanterns and portable stoves using gas, jellied petroleum or pressurized liquid fuel.

* No welding or use of any torch with an open flame, except by special permit.

* No use of explosives, except by special permit.

* No operating internal combustion engines, except on maintained roads.

* No firing tracers or incendiary devices capable of starting a fire.

* No fireworks.

Violations are punishable by fines up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to one year.

All fires or smoke reported by citizens or spotted by Cal Fire lookouts will be treated like a wildfire and a full fire suppression response will be dispatched to the scene.

The suspension will remain in effect until enough rainfall accumulates in the fall.

For more information on fire safety, visit www.fire.ca.gov.