When it comes to illegal fireworks – JUST DON'T

“For the safety of the community, we don’t want a large fire to occur and ruin people’s holiday weekend and potentially their lives.”

Capt. Jeff Lee’s sentiments are being echoed across Shoshone County and extend throughout the region as we move closer to Independence Day.

With the current heat wave as well as the excessive drought that North Idaho is currently existing in, fire danger is moving toward an all-time high.

Most would agree that it wouldn’t be the Fourth of July without fireworks, but local officials are hoping that residents stay in their lane and keep their personal shows in the safe and sane realm.

In some locations around the Panhandle county officials have taken to outright banning fireworks due to the existing conditions, and while that step isn't being taken in Shoshone County – law enforcement agencies are not going to pull punches this year if they catch someone lighting off illegal-use fireworks.

Illegal-use fireworks include bottle rockets, sky rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, missiles, parachutes, sky flyers, display shells and aerial items.

The Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office, Kellogg Police Department, Osburn Police Department, and the Pinehurst Police Department, as well as Bureau of Land Management and U.S. Forest Service will all be watching the skies and plan to strictly enforce laws and issue citations – all of which will come with a fine.

Idaho code also denotes that the parents of any minor child caught using illegal fireworks will be liable for any potential damages that may result from them.

“I just hope that people will be patient with us this weekend,” Shoshone County Sheriff Mike Gunderson said. “We get a lot of calls this time of the year and have a limited number of deputies. We will cite anyone who is caught using any illegal fireworks. We want you to have a good holiday weekend, but we need folks to stay safe and sane.”

Aerial fireworks present a huge risk for causing fires, both residential and wildfires.

While these kinds of fireworks may be purchased legally, Idaho law makes their use illegal and experts are saying the risk absolutely doesn’t outweigh the momentary reward.

“There are so many people out there who still think that there’s no danger right now,” Shoshone County Fire District 1 Chief Aaron Cagle said. “I just can’t stress enough how careful we need to be right now. The heat mixed with the wind isn’t helping our conditions either.”

Cagle’s concerns over the use of fireworks are valid, but unlike some of the neighboring areas he didn’t ask county officials to move toward any sort of ban – partly in order to avoid any sort of backlash from the residents.

“You would be shocked at how much hate you get and that you’re un-American if you don’t want fireworks,” Cagle said. “As long as they’re legal fireworks we can’t really say anything, but when they start going up into the air, well that just can’t be happening around here in the summer.”

District 2 Fire Chief Mark Aamodt echoed some of his counterpart’s concerns and hopes that people are responsible with the “safe and sane” fireworks that are legal in Idaho.

“With all fireworks, please use caution and use them appropriately,” Aamodt said. “Don’t do anything weird with them, don’t alter them, hold them, or throw them. This year especially, please be careful.”