LYON COUNTY — As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, Lyon County Sheriff Eric Wallen is urging residents and visitors to enjoy the holiday safely by following key rules and guidelines related to fireworks, boating, severe weather, road travel, and recreational vehicles.
Fireworks Restrictions
Wallen reminded the public that not all fireworks are legal in Minnesota. “The general rule of thumb is if they go in the air or are explosive, they cannot be possessed or utilized in Minnesota,” he said. “I know that a lot of the cities have exemptions for that for their fireworks shows, which is nice, but the general public would have to abide by those restrictions. And it’s more so just to keep everyone safe. We like to make sure we come out of the weekend with 10 fingers and 10 toes.”
New Boating Law and Safety Reminders
Starting July 1, a new state law begins phasing in watercraft operator permit requirements.
“They have developed a water or personal watercraft permit that boaters of a certain age now need to possess starting July 1,” Wallen said. “By the end of the implementation process in 2028, anyone born 1987 or younger will need to have this permit.”
The permit is also required for anyone, regardless of age, who plans to rent a watercraft or supervise a younger operator.
Wallen also emphasized basic water safety: “You always have to have your life jackets in the boat. The younger people obviously must have them on. For adults, they need to be within reach,” he said. “If your life jacket doesn’t buckle or snap… we probably should look at getting those replaced.”
Other essentials include a throwable flotation device, a working fire extinguisher, and an operable horn. Boaters should also remain alert for swimmers, jet skis, and sandbars.
Severe Weather Awareness
With summer storms and recent flooding in parts of the region, Wallen warned drivers to take precautions.
“If the roads are underwater, find a different route,” he said. “There are times when roads can wash away, and once you drive in that water, you find yourself falling into a hole.”
He also urged the public to understand the difference between watches and warnings. “The warnings mean the storm is imminent, that it has been spotted… and the watches mean that the conditions are favorable for something to pop up,” he said. “If you find yourself in a tornado warning, that is your cue to seek shelter immediately.”
If caught outside, he cautioned against sheltering under bridges or overpasses due to wind currents and debris. “The advice is to find a ditch and get in the ditch to get as low a spot as you can to hopefully avoid ending debris hitting you.”
July 3 Speeding Enforcement Campaign
On Thursday, July 3, drivers can expect increased law enforcement presence on Highways 14, 19, and 60 as part of a Border to Border speed enforcement campaign under the Minnesota Toward Zero Deaths initiative.
“You might see an increase of officers from State Patrol, county sheriff’s offices, local PDs all out putting an emphasis on speed enforcement,” Wallen said.
The focus stems from troubling statistics. “Between Memorial Day and Labor Day [in 2024], there were 151 fatalities on our roads in Minnesota, with 44 of those being speed-related fatalities,” he said. “It’s not that we’re looking to jam people up with tickets, it’s more so that we want to keep everyone safe.”
ATV and Side-by-Side Use
Wallen also reminded riders to know the rules for operating off-road vehicles within their community.
“The other thing that we kind of see in the summertime is your ATVs and side by sides out on the roadways,” he said. “Just remember every community has a specific ordinance on what’s allowable… Just know the rules within your community, and pretty much any state highway is a prohibited road.”
