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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Outdoors blog

Fireworks banned on most state, federal , tribal lands

Idaho Department of Lands firefighters dig firelines on the eastern edge of a wildfire in June 2003 on a Tubbs Hill hillside above Lake Coeur d'Alene. It was possibly started by fireworks. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)
Idaho Department of Lands firefighters dig firelines on the eastern edge of a wildfire in June 2003 on a Tubbs Hill hillside above Lake Coeur d'Alene. It was possibly started by fireworks. (Jesse Tinsley / The Spokesman-Review)

PUBLIC LANDS -- People dumb enough to ignite fireworks on public lands this time of year don't read the rules, so they probably don't read the newspaper either.

But for everybody else, here's the deal:

Fireworks are banned on most Washington state lands, wildlife areas and parks. Fireworks also are banned on most federal lands including national forests, parks, refuges as well as the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

The Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, still reeling from last summer's devastating fires, have have issued a complete fireworks ban on tribal lands and associated water ways.

If you see fireworks discharged:

  • On Colville Tribal lands, call (509) 634-2472.
  • On Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area lands, call (509) 725-3501.


Rich Landers
Rich Landers joined The Spokesman-Review in 1977. He is the Outdoors editor for the Sports Department writing and photographing stories about hiking, hunting, fishing, boating, conservation, nature and wildlife and related topics.

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