HAYS – Hays Public Safety Chiefs say the relatively quiet Independence Day holiday was due to the common sense use of fireworks by the citizens of Hays.

In a press release Wednesday, Hays Fire Chief Gary Brown said during the three days fireworks were allowed, his department responded to just one call related to the use of fireworks and that was a fire in outside vegetation.

During this same time period, according to Police Chief Don Scheibler, the Hays Police Department had approximately 40 cases involving fireworks. Six of the calls were for fireworks being shot off in the street and the remaining calls were for fireworks being shot off after the 11 p.m. curfew.

Both officials said they wanted to thank the people of Hays for their care and responsible use of fireworks.

They also said they wanted wish to thank the Wild West Fest Committee for the safe and well-organized Fourth of July public fireworks display.

“This includes the fireworks ‘shoot team’ and the police officers, firefighters, paramedics and WWF volunteers who made sure the fireworks display was safe,” the chiefs said.