More Bonner County fire districts institute firework bans

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A complete fireworks ban has been instituted in the Northside Fire District, West Priest Lake Fire District and Coolin-Cavanaugh Bay Fire Protection District along with the Sam Owen Fire District, city of Sandpoint and Westside Fire District’s decision to fully ban fireworks.

Northside’s decision, issued Wednesday, provides no exception to the fireworks ban except individuals or entities issued permits by the state, county or fire chief of the district.

“It was unanimous,” said Northside Fire Chief Brad Mitton. “They want to make sure that everybody stays safe.”

Ponderay Mayor Steve Geiger said in a statement Wednesday the city supports the district’s decision.

“The city of Ponderay is behind Northside Fire District’s decision to shut down all fireworks under its jurisdiction,” he said. “We are all supporting their decision in light of the high temperatures and dry conditions in our region.”

Other fire districts, including West Priest Lake and Coolin-Cavanaugh Bay Fire Protection District, made social media posts stating a ban on all fireworks, although did not provide specific resolutions.

Tim Vetres, fire chief for West Priest Lake Fire District, said the public should think twice before lighting fires of any kind. Campfires have not yet been banned, but he expects they will be next week.

“We’re just tinder dry and we have to respect the fact that we have limited resources out here [to fight fires],” he said. “All this new vegetation is so thick. We’re ripe for fuel loads, it just won't be able to be mitigated. Think of your neighbors.”

Fireworks of all kinds are also banned on all U.S. Forest Service Lands, including the Idaho Panhandle National Forests.

Other districts, including Sagle, followed suit with the county’s Tuesday resolution that prohibits “all” fireworks in the unincorporated areas of Bonner County, but allow for items commonly referred to as “safe and sane” such as poppers, cannons and devices that contain .25 of a gram of explosive. Violations will result in a $100 fine, and use of aerial fireworks is a misdemeanor.

“The fireworks ban has been adopted by all of the fire protection districts and the cities being served by those districts, except for the city of Clark Fork and the Spirit Lake Fire Protection District,” Sheriff Daryl Wheeler wrote in a press release.

Ron Adamik, the organizer for S.P.O.R.T.S.: Safety and Police Officers Retired To Sandpoint, wrote in an email Thursday urging other residents to call the Spirit Lake Fire Protection District and request they implement a ban on fireworks for the July 4 weekend and beyond.

“[A ban on fireworks is] the ONLY sane thing to do under the imminent threat posed by a record shattering heat wave and the threat of wildfires, etc.,” Adamik wrote. “That they voted last night not to do so is, in my opinion, mind-boggling incompetence, and/or indifference in the extreme.”

Adamik added people should also refrain from shooting, as it could cause a fire in extreme heat.

As far as the “safe and sane” exemption for some bans, it is similar to Idaho law already in place, which bans aerial fireworks. However, said Stuart Eigler with the Sam Owen Department, having an official ban makes it easier to get and get people to stop.

“It’s a hard thing to enforce,” he said. “We try to do it as gently and quietly as we can.”