Aerial fireworks illegal in Kootenai County

The Kootenai County Fire Chiefs would like to remind all residents that aerial fireworks, any firework that leaves the ground greater than 10 feet, are illegal in all areas of Kootenai 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.

Illegal aerial fireworks can be very traumatic for pets and many of our combat war veterans. Residents are asked to be respectful of their neighbors.

Fireworks are not allowed in any city Pparks and are never allowed in campsites in the forests.

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.

Sparklers should not be used by children. The end of a sparkler can burn at a temperature of 1,200 degrees. Approximately 35 percent of emergency room visits are for children under the age of 15, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, and over a quarter of those visits were for burns.

If a fire is caused by a release of fireworks, call 911 immediately.