POST FALLS, Idaho — While many families plan to ring in the new year with fireworks, finding a legal place to set them off can be challenging as regulations vary across the region.
Fireworks are heavily regulated in Spokane County, and most cities don’t allow fireworks any time of the year. That includes Spokane, Spokane Valley, Liberty Lake, Medical Lake and unincorporated areas of the county.
Deer Park does allow fireworks, but only from 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve to 12:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day.
North Idaho is less strict when it comes to fireworks, but Kootenai County has regulations for the fireworks it does allow to be sold.
Deanna Johnson runs a fireworks stand in Post Falls and instructs her customers on how to stay safe around the fireworks they buy from her.
“Educate, educate. There are some things that you don’t want to give the kids and you don’t want to let out of your control. We do have the state laws that you can’t do aerials. No mortars, bottle rockets,” Johnson said.
The fireworks stand in Post Falls says the fire marshal comes and inspects every firework they have to make sure it has the “safe and sane” label to make sure they comply with Idaho law. If any aren’t in compliance, they will confiscate them.
That “safe and sane” label means they don’t fly up into the air, and they don’t explode.
Johnson also has recommendations for what kids can handle.
“The tanks and the turtles, we have turtles that you light and they scoot along. Ammo smoke is always fun, they put out a lot of smoke in different colors,” Johnson said.
She says business has been steady so far this week and she’s selling more than she did last year. She plans to donate some of the proceeds to local veterans.
“There are so many veterans that need help, but they feel like it’s a weakness to ask. I’m able to anonymously give cash,” Johnson said.
COPYRIGHT 2025 BY KXLY. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. THIS MATERIAL MAY NOT BE PUBLISHED, BROADCAST, REWRITTEN OR REDISTRIBUTED.
