A warning to the public

BOISE -- Fireworks stands are open for business, but if you're caught lighting an illegal firework in Idaho you could be facing a hefty fine.

To buy fireworks in Idaho you must be at least 16 years of age.

At this firework stand on Cole and Fairview roads you are not going to find anything illegal, such as fireworks that leave the ground or the exploding kind that can really hurt someone.

However, this year firefighters expect to be busy finding more people breaking the law.

It's the day before the Fourth of July and firework stands are attracting families looking for some fiery fun.

"The fire marshal comes by at the very beginning and then comes by a few times after that to make sure we're not doing anything that's wrong," said Madison McGowan, sells fireworks.

But even with these checks, firefighters know illegal fireworks find their way into city limits.

"It is a fine that we will cite people. It's $100 plus court costs, and we will confiscate all the fireworks we find too," said Boise Fire Deputy Chief Dave Hanneman.

The following kind of fireworks are illegal in Ada County: 

- anything that flies,

- any firework that has a big display or shoots sparks more than 15 feet

- and fireworks that explode, such as M80's and firecrackers.

Hanneman says people are purchasing these items from other counties.

"What they do is the sign a waiver that they're going to be selling them out of state and lighting them off out of state. However we know they show back up here in Boise," said Hanneman.

He expects this Fourth of July to be very busy because the holiday falls on a Friday.

In 2007, Independence Day fell on Wednesday, and Hanneman remembers only handing out two citations.

In 2006, it was a much different story...

"We were giving out one every 7 minutes or 8 minutes," said Hanneman.

He says more than 120 tickets and warnings were given out in a three-hour period.

This year, Hanneman hopes for a safe Fourth of July but wants citizens to call the fire department if anyone is spotted breaking the law.

"We anticipate people to stay up a little bit later and do more things," said Hanneman.

Hanneman believes the reason so many citation were handed out in 2006 was because back then there wasn't a citywide celebration like the one planned for Ann Morrison Park.        

He believes people wanted to have a citywide celebration and that's one reason it was established.

Firefighters also wanted to make sure the public remembers that there is a complete ban on all fireworks in the Boise Foothills.

There is a lot of dry, heavy brush in the Foothills this year, and that poses a high fire danger to residents living in that area.