Holiday warning

Residents urged to follow the law on the Fourth

COEUR d’ALENE — Law enforcement is preparing for big crowds expected in Coeur d’Alene for the Fourth of July, despite the cancellation of fireworks and a parade.

First and foremost, police said alcohol possession or consumption in any city park or public space is prohibited.

“While marijuana use and possession in some states is legal, to include Washington State, it is not legal in Idaho under any circumstance,” a press release said.

Dogs are also prohibited on the City Beach and Independence Point, so folks are urged to leave them home.

The Idaho State Police is planning extra patrols.

According to the Office of Highway Safety, over the Fourth of July holiday last year in Idaho, 36 crashes occurred due to a drunken and/or drugged drivers resulting in 46 injuries and four deaths.

The Idaho State Police began extra patrols Wednesday that will be out through Tuesday statewide looking for impaired drivers. “Let’s make sure if you are going to drink, have a plan to get home safely,” said Trooper Scott Bolen.

Kootenai County fire chiefs said aerial fireworks, any firework that leaves the ground greater than 10 feet, are illegal in the county.

Only fireworks which contain the Safe and Sane marking, or were sold from a local vendor’s stand with an issued permit, are allowed. These stands and their products are approved and tested by local fire department personnel.

“We understand that the loss this year of many of the professional shows in our area may tempt residents to create their own big show, but aerial fireworks are not allowed in any area of Kootenai County,” said Craig Etherton, president of the Kootenai County Fire Prevention Co-op, in a statement.

Fireworks accounted for 15,600 fires in 2013 and almost half of the fires that started on July 4 were caused by fireworks, per the National Fire Protection Association.