Next Wednesday is the Fourth of July, a time when most Americans celebrate the Declaration of Independence, which was signed July 4, 1776. People enjoy picnics, parades, family get-togethers, the Arlee Powwow and fireworks.

Kids all over Lake County are waiting for darkness to come so they can light off sparklers and smoke bombs, and their parents can decorate the night sky with fountains, stars and flowers.

Not everyone loves fireworks though, including small children, traumatized veterans, and most animals, including birds, dogs, cats, horses and cows, who don’t know what all the sizzling, popping and booming is about. 

Lake County’s three incorporated towns each have ordinances in place. 

POLSON: Police Chief George Simpson said his department makes copies of the city’s fireworks ordinance and hands them out around the Fourth of July.

“Every now and then, we have to talk to folks about the ordinance,” he said. “If the fireworks are unsafe, people need to recognize fire danger and safety so they don’t end up in the emergency room with a missing finger.”

First, fireworks shooters should consider safety and also be considerate of neighbors. Keep in mind that fireworks can frighten pets. Also, revelers should avoid lighting fireworks for hours at a time or shooting items that rain paper debris on someone else’s lawn. 

“We enforce the law the best way we can,” Simpson added. 

According to the ordinance, fireworks may only be discharged within the city limits only on private property of the owner or with the owner’s permission, or on paved city streets which are not arterial streets or collectors. Fireworks should be discharged “in a safe and sane manner” and during Fourth holiday, which extends from July 3-5, according to the ordinance. 

The hours listed for fireworks are from noon July 3 to 12 a.m. July 4, from noon July 4 to 1 a.m. July 5; and from noon July 5 until 12 a.m. July 6.

They are also briefly allowed New Year’s Day celebrations, from 11 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1. To see the full ordinance, visit the City of Polson MuniCode Library, available online, and search for fireworks.

The Polson Volunteer Fire Department prepares for the Fourth of July, too. 

“We usually have had to staff our station during peak times. We will have a crew here ready to respond the afternoon of July 3 and most of the afternoon and evening of the Fourth,” said Fire Chief Clint Cottle.

He said the department responded to about 10 calls last year, although some were calls for emergency medical services calls.  

Since the Fourth of July is such a family-oriented holiday, Cottle said the fire department usually has a family barbecue after the parade so everyone can celebrate with family and friends.

Cottle cautioned that our area didn’t receive a lot of snow last winter; and even though we’ve had rain recently, rural areas have already had grass fires. He advised people not to shoot off fireworks in dry grassy areas. 

RONAN: Volunteer Fire Department Chief Chris Adler, who also serves as Ronan’s mayor, said their fire department does not keep firefighters at the fire station on the Fourth of July. 

Mainly, Adler said, “because there are a core group of about 10 firefighters who live within minutes of the fire station and can get there quickly.” 

Ronan’s ordinance gives the following dates and hours “that it’s permissible to detonate, combust or display legally authorized fireworks”: June 24-July 2  from 8 a.m. until curfew at 10 p.m. weekdays and midnight Fridays and Saturdays; July 3 and 4 from 8 a.m.-1 a.m.; and July 5 from 8 a.m.-10 p.m.

Fireworks are also allowed Dec. 29-31.

For violations, such as safety, a substantial risk of bodily injury or damages to property of others, first offense is a warning and second offense is an $85 citation, with a third offense boosting the citation up to $500.

ST. IGNATIUS: Mayor Daren Incashola said that issues with fireworks issues aren’t too bad in Mission, although sometimes the city receives complaints. 

“For the most part it’s pretty mellow,” Incashola said.

When grass and foliage is very dry, the St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department staffs the firehouse to quickly put out fires caused by fireworks, Incashola said. 

The town’s ordinance allows people to possess and use fireworks “that are not Class C fireworks” from June 25-July 5.

    Customer Wyatt Hayes takes a look at a firework package to see if it's one he would like to purchase. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)
  

    Wyatt Hayes, Judy Young, Chaela Frey, Kane the pup, and Brayden Maynard look at all the fireworks on display at Hong Kong's Harry. (Berl Tiskus/Leader)