Whitefish proposes fireworks ban

The city of Whitefish plans to put the kibosh on the use of fireworks ­— except for one big public show on July 4 — and will use a City Council work session on Monday to talk about the proposed restrictions.

Whitefish has had the most lenient city ordinance regarding pyrotechnic displays, allowing personal fireworks to be used within Whitefish city limits between 11 a.m. and 10 p.m. on July 3 and 4 under the current ordinance. Whitefish also has allowed the sale of fireworks within the city from noon to 8 p.m. on July 2-4. Both the sales and use of fireworks within city limits would be banned in the proposed ordinance.

Columbia Falls and Kalispell, the county’s two other incorporated cities, don’t allow the use of fireworks.

Flathead County allows people to shoot off fireworks on personal property, though they’re banned from use in county and state parks.

The issue of fireworks in Whitefish came to a head last fall when neighbors on Whitefish Lake were awakened on the evening of Sept. 15, 2018, by a permitted fireworks display that was part of a wedding celebration. The fireworks were shot off from The Lodge at Whitefish Lake, and a permit for the fireworks had been obtained by a separate vendor for that event.

The neighborhood opposition prompted Mayor John Muhlfeld to talk to owners of The Lodge following the incident. Muhlfeld told the Whitefish Pilot The Lodge “assured me that this is the last time they will ever approach the city for a fireworks permit.” Following the uproar, the City Council was urged to hold a work session to consider changing the city’s fireworks ordinance.

Whitefish’s current ordinances allow for permitted displays, but that also would change if the proposed restrictions are adopted. The ordinance would restrict fireworks to just one permitted public show on July 4.

If adopted the new ordinance increases the fine for violating the law from $300 to $500 for the first offense and $500 or imprisonment for subsequent offenses.

The work session begins at 6:15 p.m. Monday at Whitefish City Hall.

News editor Lynnette Hintze may be reached at 758-4421 or lhintze@dailyinterlake.com.