Fireworks restrictions vary

Bigfork Eagle

Fireworks are a quintessential part of the Fourth of July, but with the risk of injury and fire, officials are having to create stricter rules for the entertaining explosives.

The sale and use of sky rockets, M-80s, Roman candles, bottle rockets and sparkler bombs is banned throughout the state. Most other types of fireworks can be sold between June 24 and July 5.

Restrictions are less rigid on the Flathead and Blackfeet Indian Reservations.

In Flathead County, buying, possessing and discharging legal fireworks is allowed in most areas outside city limits, except in state parks, state forests, state recreation areas, Glacier National Park, the Flathead National Forest and the Kootenai National Forest.

Deputies and police are authorized to confiscate illegal fireworks, and if convicted violators could be fined up to $500 and ordered to serve up to six months in jail. Those found to be misusing fireworks in a dangerous way could be arrested for criminal endangerment, a felony. Anyone possessing a sparkler bomb could be arrested for possession of an explosive device, also a felony. Using fireworks to destroy property could result in an arrest for vandalism, which becomes a felony if the damage is more than $1,000.

The Flathead County Sheriff's Office will conduct a boat patrol in Flathead Lake to discourage the use of illegal fireworks on the public dock in Lakeside. Extra patrols are also planned in the Hungry Horse area.

Flathead County's fireworks regulations don't apply inside the city limits of Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls. Each of these towns has its own local ordinances governing the sale and use of fireworks.

Those looking to avoid purchasing and discharging their own fireworks can attend the public display in Lakeside at 11 p.m. July 4. Polson's annual display has been canceled due to a lack of funding.