Flathead County bans fireworks, including public shows
KALISPELL (AP) – The Flathead County commissioners unanimously voted to ban the use of fireworks throughout the county, on both public and private lands, because of a weekend forecast that calls for warm temperatures and sustained winds.
Thursday morning's decision cancels fireworks displays on Flathead Lake and a popular private show put on by former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. at his Candy Bar Ranch near Whitefish.
Whitefish Fire Chief Joe Page canceled that city's fireworks display, which is set off from a barge on Whitefish Lake. In both 2013 and 2014 a fire started on the barge. The city planned to use fire-proof decking this year to avoid a repeat fire.
Numerous other counties in western Montana have banned fireworks, as has Butte-Silver Bow County and the town of Deer Lodge. A public show in Butte will go on as scheduled.