Fireworks Ban in Effect for Unincorporated Areas of Ada County
Posted on 06-22-2010
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 22, 2010 |
Contact: Jessica Donald
Communications Specialist
208-287-6998
jdonald@adaweb.net |
Fireworks Ban in Effect for Unincorporated Areas of Ada County
(Boise, ID) – The Board of Ada County Commissioners has passed an ordinance temporarily banning the use of all fireworks in unincorporated areas of Ada County (those which are not located in city limits or within a rural fire district). Ordinance #749 will remain in effect until October 31, 2010.
Ada County’s recent wet weather is resulting in large amounts of vegetative growth in many areas throughout the County. This situation, coupled with the warm and dry weather conditions during the early summer months, creates a greater risk for wildfire. The Commissioner’s proactive approach to banning fireworks in unincorporated Ada County will help reduce the fire danger.
Ordinance #749 states that anyone caught using fireworks in unincorporated Ada County, outside of established fire protection districts, will be charged with a misdemeanor and could face a $1,000 fine and/or 6 months in jail.
Given the upcoming holiday weekend, residents are cautioned to check local city and fire district regulations as well, and be sure they do not use fireworks in areas where they are currently banned. Information about Ordinance #749 and a map of areas where fireworks are prohibited is available below.
Ordinance #749 Summary & Definitions:
AN ORDINANCE PROVIDING FOR A BAN ON THE USE OF FIREWORKS IN AREAS LOCATED IN UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF ADA COUNTY WHICH CONSTITUTE A SEVERE FIRE THREAT FROM THE PUBLICATION DATE OF THE ORDINANCE TO OCTOBER 31, 2010, AND PROVIDING FOR A VIOLATION OF THE ORDINANCE TO BE A MISDEMEANOR PUNISHABLE BY A FINE OF UP TO ONE THOUSAND DOLLARS ($1,000.00) OR IMPRISONMENT OF UP TO SIX MONTHS OR BY BOTH SUCH FINE AND IMPRISONMENT.
ORDINANCE NO. 749 SHALL BE EFFECTIVE UPON PUBLICATION. A FULL TEXT OF THE ORDINANCE IS AVAILABLE FOR PUBLIC INSPECTION AT THE OFFICE OF THE ADA COUNTY CLERK, 200 W. FRONT STREET, BOISE, IDAHO.
FIREWORKS: ANY COMBUSTIBLE OR EXPLOSIVE COMPOSITION, OR ANY SUBSTANCE OR COMBINATION OF SUBSTANCES, OR ARTICLE PREPARED FOR THE PURPOSE OF PRODUCING A VISIBLE OR AUDIBLE EFFECT BY COMBUSTION, EXPLOSION, DEFLAGRATION OR DETONATION. FIREWORKS INCLUDE ITEMS CLASSIFIED AS COMMON OR SPECIAL FIREWORKS BY THE UNITED STATES BUREAU OF EXPLOSIVES OR CONTAINED IN THE REGULATIONS OF THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION AND DESIGNATED AS UN 0335 1.3 OR UN 03336 1.4G. THE TERM “FIREWORKS” SHALL NOT INCLUDE ANY AUTOMOTIVE SAFETY FLARES, TOY GUNS, TOY CANNONS, PARTY POPPERS, OR POP-ITS OR OTHER DEVICES WHICH CONTAIN TWENTY-FIVE HUNDREDTHS (.25) OF A GRAIN OR LESS OF EXPLOSIVE SUBSTANCE. (SEE IDAHO CODE § 39-2602(3).)
UNINCORPORATED AREAS OF ADA COUNTY OUTSIDE FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICTS: ANY AREA LOCATED IN ADA COUNTY WHICH IS OUTSIDE THE CITY LIMITS OF ANY CITY WITHIN ADA COUNTY AND OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF ANY FIRE PROTECTION DISTRICT FORMED PURSUANT TO TITLE 31, CHAPTER 14, IDAHO CODE. THIS AREA IS DEPICTED ON THE MAP ATTACHED AS EXHIBIT A AS WHITE AREA WITH CROSS-HATCHING.