No fireworks allowed in Sublette County
Fire danger moderate; Pinedale & Big Piney will have great Town displays!
July 3, 2006
Sublette County has had an official resolution to ban fireworks since 1988, but every year people wonder if they can shoot off their own fireworks for the 4th of July. With all the new folks in town, we thought it was worth the reminder about what the rules are for the county. Most everyone knows that fireworks are prohibited year-round everywhere on the Bridger-Teton National Forest and in the nearby National Parks.
As far as the county goes, it is illegal to manufacture, possess or sell fireworks in Sublette County unless you have a special permit which is granted under certain conditions.
The ban includes firecrackers, sky rockets, Roman candles, sparklers, Daygo bombs, toy cannons, blank cartridges and any device which is prepared for the purpose of producing a visible or an audible effect by combustion, explosion, deflagration or detonation. We’re paraphrasing the list from the official resolution, so if you want the actual technical wording and long list of what is banned, you can contact the Sublette County Clerk or the Sublette County Sheriff’s Office and ask for Resolution 88-183T.
If someone wanted to have their own private fireworks display on their property at any time of the year, the resolution has provisions for special permits. Applications must be in writing at least ten days in advance of the date of the display and there are safety provisions related to competent operators, safe location for discharge, etc that must be approved by the Sublette County Fire Warden. The permittee also must furnish a bond or certificate of insurance for payment of possible damages that might occur if the display, or anyone related to it, causes a fire or other damage.
Anyone in possession of illegal fireworks, or offering them for sale, can have them seized and taken away at the expense of the owner (Again, we’re paraphrasing. The resolution includes all stocks offered or exposed for sale, stored, or held in violation of this article.) Possession of fireworks is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of not more than $750.
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