Commissioners opt not to ban all fireworks

COEUR d'ALENE - The Kootenai County commissioners on Monday decided against establishing a total ban on fireworks for the unincorporated areas of the county.

The commissioners heard from some people in the public who requested the board ban fireworks completely for the Fourth of July holiday.

Commissioner Dan Green, who started discussion of the issue, said he didn't support such action.

A ban would be an "enforcement nightmare," Green said.

"Common sense would tell you in a very dry season to be careful," Green said.

"Just because there's a law doesn't mean people will abide by the thing," said Commissioner Marc Eberlein. "And when it comes to fireworks on the Fourth of July - it's always dry out there."

Only fireworks classified as "non-aerial common fireworks" are legal in the county, the Kootenai County Sheriff's Office announced recently. Legal fireworks can be purchased at local, temporary stands and some businesses throughout the county.

Law enforcement agencies and fire departments are discouraging the use of fireworks because of the weather forecast of high temperatures and dry conditions.

Any ban the county could initiate wouldn't apply to the cities.

Illegal fireworks purchased on the Coeur d'Alene Tribal Reservation must be used on those lands.