HELENA: As the New Year approaches, mountaineers will soon be able to buy fireworks for the holidays.
Fireworks stands may reopen on Sunday, and some were already ready on Saturday to be ready. State legislation allows fireworks to be sold between December 29 and 31.
If you plan to sound the new year with fireworks, keep in mind local rules. In Helena, authorities do not allow anyone to put out fireworks within the city limits, even at the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds. Firefighters also remind people to make sure they use fireworks only in a clear area and to watch where the pieces land.
“It’s the same as in the summer: when you fire these fireworks, you know where they’ll fall,” said Bob Drake, Tri-Likes volunteer fire chief. “They’re going to fall from the sky in flames, hot, and if it lands on the grass, it will start to burn the grass.”
In places like the Helena Valley, there is not much snow this year. Drake said that if the vegetation goes for several days with little moisture and no substantial rainfall, it can still become fuel for a fire. “We just ask people to be careful,” he said. “Each of us wants to have a great time on New Year’s Eve and getting a bunch of volunteer firefighters out of the New Year’s Eve celebration isn’t fun for us either.”
Drake also advises everyone to make fireworks that have a fire extinguisher ready, especially right now. “At this time of year, it’s pretty hard for garden hoses to work,” he said.
People who unload fireworks within the city limits of Great Falls must follow the city’s fireworks ordinance, which will be enforced by city police and firefighters. Residents can learn more about the city’s Fireworks Ordinance and fireworks rules and regulations by clicking here. The main rules and regulations include:
- Fireworks can be downloaded on December 31, from 10pm to 12:30 am on January 1st.
- Children 9 years of age or younger who participate in fireworks should have a supervising adult less than 10 feet away in order to control the application of flames or other means to discharge fireworks.
- Residents only need to throw fireworks at private properties (sidewalk leading to your residence or entrance) and clean up any garbage left behind.