Personal Use Of Fireworks Could Result In Hefty Fines

Plans for personal fireworks shows this Fourth of July could end in hefty fines in many counties this holiday weekend.

Fireworks are banned or restricted in every Eastern Washington county. Individual cities have their own ordinances.

Fines for possessing or igniting illegal fireworks in Washington run up to $250.

All aerial fireworks are illegal, according to the Washington state fire marshal. Law enforcement officers say they are cracking down hard this year.

Under state law, legal fireworks include sparklers, fountains, ground spinners, flitter sparklers, illuminating torches, Roman candles and any product sold at a licensed fireworks stand.

Fireworks stands on Indian reservations aren’t restricted by the state law.

Spokane, Columbia, Franklin and Ferry counties have banned all fireworks. They are also illegal in a portion of Douglas County near Bridgeport.

State-approved fireworks are legal in Adams, Asotin, Grant, Garfield, Lincoln, Pend Oreille, Stevens, Whitman, Walla Walla, Chelan, Okanogan and Douglas counties.

Fireworks are banned on all U.S. Forest Service lands.

In Idaho, the law permits sale and use of non-aerial fireworks, but isn’t clear whether flying and exploding items are legal.

At Indian Country Fireworks on the Coeur d’Alene Indian Reservation, you must be 18 to buy the exploding or aerial fireworks that are illegal in Washington.

Residents are reminded to check with local fire departments about restrictions, including weather-related rules, before setting off fireworks.

, DataTimes