Community Corner

Elm Grove Fireworks Canceled, Why Brookfield's Display Still Planned

The village has decided to cancel its fireworks event, due to dry conditions and fire danger levels. Brookfield's fire chief explains why the city is still planning to hold its fireworks Wednesday night.

While the City of Brookfield says its fireworks will go on as planned Wednesday evening, the neighboring Village of Elm Grove has canceled its fireworks.

Elm Grove Fire Chief William Selzer said Tuesday that the village fireworks will be rescheduled to Labor Day weekend. The exact day and time are not yet determined.

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"Due to the extreme dry conditions and the launch site’s close proximity to wooded and grassy areas of the Village Park, the Village of Elm Grove has cancelled its Fourth of July fireworks display for the evening of July 4," Selzer said. 

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Like , the village also imposed a complete outdoor burning ban, including all fireworks, such as sparklers, snakes and like combustibles. The ban also prohibits use of outdoor fire pits and outdoor fireplaces.

"Outdoor charcoal and gas operated grills are not banned on private property; however, extreme caution is urged while utilizing these outdoor cooking devices. All outdoor cooking devices are banned from the Village Park," the chief said.

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Mitchell Park a safe location for fireworks

Brookfield Fire Chef Charlie Myers said Tuesday that the city chose to holds its fireworks display as planned because the expansive, swampy Mitchell Park provided a safe environment. Fireworks will be set off in the dog run area that is far from buildings.

"The fireworks vendor said this is a very good location," Myers said.

"Most of the fireworks that they launch are the larger tubes that go very high and those all dissipate in heat by the time they come back down to the ground," Myers said. "The problem lies with the low-level kind of stuff, in the middle and end of show.... that have a tendency of scattering a lot of debris."

The vendor will modify those fireworks and have backup plans to use other or fewer tubes or eliminate that part of the show, if conditions necessitate, the chief said.

The area does not have city water access there. But fire trucks, normally parked by the Sharon Lynne Wilson Center for families to view, will instead be near the display setup as an extra precaution.

Recreational fireworks pose greater danger

Chief Myers urged residents to abide by the fireworks ban until it rains, saying recreational fireworks pose a greater danger.

"Please, please don’t use this year, there’s just too much potential in many areas of Brookfield where we could get ground cover fire that could threaten somebody’s home," Myer said. "Everybody’s been really good so far. We just ask them for some patience until we get some rain."


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