Feeling the heat
Marsha Porter stands with the largest "safe & sane" firework they are allowed to sell called "Allegiance." This is the fourth year the Porters have operated TNT Fireworks on U.S. 95 and Sagle Road. They will be open for business until July 5.
Wayne Robert Becker sits in the Black Cat firework stand he operates on U.S. Highway 2 and North 5th Avenue. Becker has 30 years experience selling fireworks in Bonner County.
Bonner County experienced temperatures hovering around 100 degrees. The Porter family stands in the cool mist of a sprinkler behind TNT Fireworks on U.S. 95 and Sagle Road. TNT Fireworks will be open until July 5.
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Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect commissioners passed a fireworks ban in unincorporated areas in Bonner County on Tuesday not Wednesday.
While temperatures aren’t likely to see anything below the 90s until after the Fourth of July, area firework stands are open.
“It’s looking like gloomy weather,” said Wayne Robert Becker as he sat in the shade of the firework stand he operates at U.S. 2 and North Fifth Avenue. With temperatures hitting over 100 degrees, Becker sat in the breeze of a large fan, with the doors open, and cracked open a misty bottle of water.
The unseasonably high temperatures played a role in Bonner County commissioners’ decision to implement a fireworks ban on Tuesday morning, including those deemed “safe & sane.”
“I don’t mind not selling hardly any if it means not having a smoke-filled summer,” said Becker.
“We usually have to close because of the rain,” said Marsha Porter, owner of TNT Fireworks at the intersection of U.S. 95 and Sagle Road. “There's been no rain this time.”
Porter runs TNT Fireworks with her husband, Scott, and grown daughter, Becky Jones. The family has been staying cool by standing in a mister between their stand, and the camper they live in during their two-week operation.
“With how dry it’s getting, it’s definitely more safe to have a ban, even though I don’t like the word ‘ban,’ ” said Becky Jones on Wednesday. “If you can’t be responsible when lighting off fireworks, then don’t do it.”
The Porters instead focused on the support they have been given by the community.
“Half of the people who come here are looking for the big aerials,” said Scott Porter “We disappoint those ones, but we haven't had a problem. The community has been really good to us. People bring their kids to this stand every year, and even though we haven't learned anyone's names, it’s fun to watch the kids grow up.”
The uniting thread between the commissioners and business owners is common sense.
“You gotta use common sense,” said Jones. “Have a hose ready and be prepared for anything. We have a 5-gallon bucket we throw things into, just to make sure.”
“My biggest concern this year is all the tourists that come in here," said Becker. "Most people have common sense with where you can and can’t light, but it only takes one.”
Even though each stand determines its own schedule, both Becker and the Porters will be closing their stands on July 5.
“You can still support your local firework stand by lighting them off later – like during New Year’s,” said Jones.
