Will nixed fireworks shows lead to explosion of home pyros? Boise, Meridian preach safety
Fireworks are expected to fill the sky this weekend for the Fourth of July, as usual. They just won’t be originating from the typical places.
In order to curb the spread of the coronavirus and safeguard public health, almost all cities in the Treasure Valley canceled their annual July 4 pyrotechnic demonstrations, as well as parades and other activities. With nearly everything called off, fireworks being set off from home are a larger concern this year, two officials said this week.
Jerry McAdams, acting fire marshal with the Boise Fire Department, and Joe Bongiorno, Meridian’s fire marshal, held a demonstration Wednesday afternoon to show how to correctly use and dispose of fireworks. They emphasized that illegal aerial fireworks are always a concern, and can lead to property destruction and even injuries.
“The illegal fireworks is a question that is brought up every year. There is only so much the fire department can do,” Bongiorno said. “The best thing we can recommend is people contact the legislators so we can get them illegal in the whole state.”
So-called aerial fireworks — those that fly from the ground or dispense sparks higher than 20 feet — are illegal in Idaho, but you may buy them. And every year thousands of them still go airborne from streets and yards.
During their demonstration, McAdams and Bongiorno urged people to buy and use only “safe and sane” fireworks, rather than ones that “go up into the air and explode.”
McAdams recommended that those interested in fireworks go through their neighborhood associations to get a permit and have a show, instead of independently launching them without precautions. Idaho’s attorney general issued an opinion in 2017 that fireworks could be sold to someone with a permit for a public display or event.
But even with that, “we want to make sure that only adults are using them,” Bongiorno said.
“You can get a permit for a fireworks show, but in the city of Meridian, the first thing we are going to ask them is, ‘How are you maintaining social distancing for your show?’” Bongiorno said.
That is the curse of the coronavirus, of course, which generally has led to a dark July 4 weekend. But there are exceptions. In the Treasure Valley, the only place where the nighttime show will go on is in Caldwell, which will set off fireworks from Brothers Park on Saturday night. However, officials are encouraging people to view from afar and not in the park, if possible. The park will remain open.
“We prepared and submitted a plan to Southwest District Health, which they approved,” said Chelsea Wilson, communications specialist for the city of Caldwell. “Some of the parts of the plan are encouraging members of the public wear masks, stay seated in areas 6 feet apart and to not attend if they have symptoms of illness, are immunocompromised or are in contact with anyone immunocompromising.”
Wilson said the city normally has between 1,500 and 2,000 people attend. Whether the crowd grows this year because of a lack of options is anyone’s guess.
“The hope is they will respect the requests of the city and view the fireworks from another area,” Wilson said.
A July 4 fireworks show also will take place in Cascade by the lake and begin at dusk. The Cascade Chamber of Commerce made the announcement in late May to go ahead with it, right after McCall canceled its fireworks.
“We have safety precautions put in place, and strongly encourage people to follow social distancing guidelines,” the Cascade Chamber said on Twitter when making the announcement.
Although McCall canceled its popular fireworks show, the city is still having some events, such as drive-in movies and a patriotic boat brigade.
Caldwell, in addition to having its fireworks show, also is still holding its kid-centric Plaza Palooza event from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday at Indian Creek Plaza. There are waterslides, dunk tanks, slip n’ slides, splash pads and fountains, water games, and a fair with vendors. Organizers said masks are encouraged but not required, and social distancing measures will be taken.
There will be no official fireworks shows, July 4 parades or events in Boise, Nampa or Meridian, leaving people to celebrate on their own — and leading to concerns there will be an abundance of bottle rockets and Roman candles both inside neighborhoods and out. Punishment for setting off illegal fireworks can include a misdemeanor, fine, restitution and even jail time.
A resolution signed Tuesday by the Ada County Board of Commissioners bans all fireworks in unincorporated Ada County during the current fire season. And at the demonstration Wednesday, McAdams issued a reminder that in the Boise Foothills, setting off fireworks of any kind are illegal. It was in 2016 that fireworks use led to the damaging Table Rock Fire.
“Many of us have fond memories of Fourth of July family and community gatherings that include colorful fireworks,” said Ada County Commission Chair Kendra Kenyon in a statement announcing the ban. “We appreciate the consideration and restraint shown by everyone during this challenging year. While we enjoy these celebratory traditions, we also realize that lives and property will always take precedence and that public safety must be our primary focus.”
This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 12:45 PM.
