BOZEMAN — Today, the Bozeman Police Department and the Gallatin County Sheriff discussed how you can legally celebrate the 4th of July with some fireworks.
“We still have a ton of moisture, so we're not as worried about fires as we have been in the past -- there's really no restrictions,” said Gallatin County Sheriff Brian Gootkin.
Gallatin County may not have firework restrictions this year, but Bozeman does.
“Just try to keep them under 15-feet so nothing can go over the roof-line of a house or anything like that,” said Bozeman Police Department's Sergeant Travis Munter.
Lighting off fireworks is only allowed for three days this year.
“You can light fireworks on the 3rd, 4th and 5th of July," said Munter. "On the 3rd, you can light fireworks until midnight. On the 4th, you can go past midnight all the way to 1 a.m., then on the 5th of July, you can light them again until midnight.”
There are some places where lighting off fireworks is not acceptable.
“You can't light fireworks within 300-feet of a public park," Munter. "You can't light them on the street, in an alley, on the road, any of the right of way, within a 1000 feet of any hospital, or any nursing home or assisted living facility, no fireworks can be discharged under or on any moving vehicle or any vehicle, or within 300 feet of any gas station.”
If you are lighting fireworks that are too big, or where you’re not supposed to, it pays to be respectful and could save you $100 to $500 dollars in fines.
“If we have go back to an address several times that's when maybe a citation may be written for this offense,” Munter said.
Lastly, if you are bothered by fireworks, do not call 9-1-1.
“9-1-1 is very busy, they have emergencies they have to deal with," said Gootkin. "Loud fireworks at night is not an emergency.”
