No fireworks on public lands; only 'safe and sane' OK in city

In Idaho, only "safe and sane" fireworks may be used.

Safe and sane fireworks are those that do not explode or go more than 10 feet in the air. Firecrackers, bottle rockets and roman candles are among the classes of fireworks that are not legal to use in Idaho.

"All the stands in town that sell fireworks sell legal fireworks," Mountain Home Fire Chief Phil Gridley noted.

It is possible to buy illegal fireworks in Idaho, due to federal regulations involving interstate commerce. The businesses that sell them require that a person sign a document stating they will not be used in Idaho.

Fireworks, particularly illegal ones, are often the cause of range fires, especially as desert conditions rapidly dry out. Gridley noted that last year several people were arrested after starting fires involving illegal fireworks. Under Idaho law they are required to pay the costs of fighting the fires.