Some may have seen familiar red, white, and blue structures popping up around town to sell fireworks galore ahead of Independence Day celebrations.

While this is a joyous sign for many, regional officials ask residents to take extra precautions this year amid a drought that has left 75% of Idaho "abnormally dry," according to the National Integrated Drought Information System.

"We're facing the driest conditions we've had at this time of the season in over 30 years," Kootenai County Fire and Rescue Chief Christopher Way said. "Just this week alone, we are in the 100-degree range with no moisture, no precipitation in the forecast whatsoever, so yes, we have significant concerns about that."

After an uncharacteristically mild spring and winter, the Panhandle's snow water equivalent is 49% of normal, according to the USDA/NRCS National Water and Climate Center. Those dry conditions have many officials thinking about the danger of wildfires close to home.

"We are extremely worried about the dryness," Rathdrum City Administrator Leon Duce said. "We just want everyone to be safe and don't want to start any unneeded fires."

Typically it isn't the 'Safe and Sane' fireworks like sparklers and cone fountains that cause a problem, Coeur d'Alene Fire Department Deputy Fire Marshal and Inspector Bobby Gonder explained.

"When people go out and buy the kind of fireworks that leave the ground, aerial rockets that shoot up with the big loud bang, those are dangerous," Gonder said. "Their hot embers shoot everywhere, including dry grasslands — which start the fires."

Aerial fireworks are illegal to shoot off in Idaho because they risk causing fires. However, Gonder said they are permitted and sold by a Kootenai County neighbor — the Coeur d'Alene Tribe. Per Idaho rules, aerial fireworks are allowed on the reservation but cannot be used elsewhere in the state.

Still, Gonder said illegal fireworks like bottle rockets, Roman candles, and parachutes frequently appear in the Kootenai County skyline around the Fourth of July.

"We have had a fire from fireworks. We usually get a couple of forest fires directly related to fireworks every year," Gonder said. "Usually two or three, sometimes more, sometimes less, but we can always count on at least two."

Gonder said most are contained, but about eight years ago, a rogue, illegal rocket caused a fire to spread across a hillside in town.

The city of Hayden hasn't discussed taking any added precautions for fireworks this year, administrator Brett Boyer said. The Northern Lakes Fire District provides fire services in the city, so he anticipated that the council would likely look to their recommendations.

Noting the dry regional conditions, Boyer said the city is worried about potential fires and is advising people to recreate responsibly.

"Most fires we have are human-caused," he said. "If people would just be more careful, it would help us reduce the number of fires that happen."

According to the Bureau of Land Management, of the 944 wildfires Idaho experienced in 2020, 138 were human-caused and burned a total of 44,010 acres. In 2021, the BLM has already reported more than 120 wildfires around the state. Post Falls City Administrator Shelly Enderud hoped that the return of large-scale public fireworks displays would diminish the likelihood of an accident.

"Every time Fourth of July comes around, we get a little nervous. All it takes is one spark to cause a house or business fire. Or sometimes that spark jumps house to house," Enderud said. "That's why we encourage safe, sane and legally permitted fireworks."

Chief Way said KCFR anticipates the Idaho Department of Lands to raise fire danger levels to 'high' soon, likely before the Fourth of July. However, the fear of uncontrolled flames will continue long after the holiday and is something Way believes "every fire chief" is nervous about this summer.

"We ask for the community to have diligence in being safe and making good decisions," Way said. "We recognize everyone wants to have a good time, we're no exception we like to celebrate, but we know we have to take extra precautions because it is so dry."

Gonder also stressed that the use of illegal fireworks brings an undue burden on combat veterans, pets and community infrastructure.

"Most people have to sedate their dogs, myself included, for a week, which is not right," Gonder said. "People also don't think about the veterans who served in Afghanistan living next door who also want to celebrate America's birthday, but those loud explosions present a danger."

The Coeur d'Alene Fire Department will be sharing helpful information and public service announcements through social media over the next two weeks to raise awareness of safe practices.