With fireworks sales set to begin across Idaho later this month, Twin Falls Fire Marshal Gabriel Hammett is reminding residents which fireworks are legal — and urging extra caution as dry conditions raise the stakes for a dangerous holiday weekend.
What’s Legal and What’s Not
Idaho law permits what are commonly called “Safe and Sane” fireworks — those that remain on the ground. Legal options include sparklers, fountains, smoke balls, crackle and strobe effects, wheels, spinners, and novelty items. “Generally, as a rule of thumb, they don’t leave the ground,” Hammett said.
Firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerials, and missiles are prohibited for use in most Idaho cities. Consumers may occasionally encounter an Idaho county-level loophole that allows vendors to sell otherwise illegal fireworks to buyers who sign a waiver stating they will use the products out of state — but Hammett’s message is straightforward: if it launches into the air, it has no place in Twin Falls city limits.
Fireworks sales in Idaho run from June 23 through July 5. Commercial-grade pyrotechnic displays require a permit from the City of Twin Falls.
Drought Conditions Amplify the Danger This Year
Hammett noted that this summer presents heightened risk compared to prior years. “This year, we have a little bit of drought going on. We have water restrictions in place,” he said. Residents should factor those conditions into any decisions about setting off even legal fireworks near dry grass or structures.
The concern is well-founded. The National Weather Service has already issued Red Flag Warning conditions for the Twin Falls area this season, a signal that wind, low humidity, and dry fuel can allow a small spark to become a fast-moving fire in minutes.
Nationally, fireworks cause between 9,000 and 12,000 hospital-treated injuries every year. Children under the age of 15 account for roughly half of all fireworks injuries — a sobering figure that underscores why fire officials emphasize adult supervision even around seemingly harmless items like sparklers. Nearly 40 percent of fireworks injuries involve the permissible type, while illegal fireworks account for more than 60 percent.
Fire data from 2011 — one of the most cited benchmark years in national fire reporting — recorded approximately 17,800 fires sparked by fireworks, including 1,200 structure fires, 400 vehicle fires, and more than 16,000 outdoor blazes. That single year saw eight civilian deaths, 40 injuries directly attributed to fireworks fires, and $32 million in property damage.
Twin Falls Fire Increases Holiday Staffing
Anticipating a surge in emergency calls, the Twin Falls Fire Department will deploy additional personnel through the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The Fourth of July consistently ranks among the busiest days of the year for both fire and police emergency response, and local officials want to be positioned to respond quickly if conditions deteriorate.
Residents looking for a legal and professionally managed way to enjoy the holiday can attend the city-sponsored fireworks display at the College of Southern Idaho. The event runs from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. and features commercial-grade pyrotechnics handled by licensed operators under a city permit — keeping the spectacle where it belongs and reducing the risk to neighborhoods across Twin Falls County.
What Comes Next
Fireworks sales begin June 23 and continue through July 5. Twin Falls Fire Department will maintain elevated staffing through the holiday weekend. Residents with questions about which fireworks are permitted can contact the Twin Falls Fire Marshal’s office before purchasing. Anyone who spots illegal aerial fireworks being used within city limits is encouraged to report the activity to Twin Falls Police. Those planning to light off even legal fireworks are urged to check current burn and water restriction conditions before the holiday and to have a water source readily available.