Calls for a common-sense approach to fireworks

Over the last few years, a summer evening practice that many of us across the valley are being subjected to has become more and more disturbing. It is the often unrestrained and unrepentant use of fireworks.

I’m a believer in personal and civil liberties, but fireworks are not firearms and perhaps should not receive the same protections as such an important part of Montana’s culture and heritage.

The late evening eruptions often occur when parents are trying to put their kids to bed and/or when many people can finally sit down on a summer evening and enjoy the peace and serenity that this valley offers.

In my neighborhood (a 70-plus-home subdivision with 100-plus other homes within earshot), the pyrotechnics last summer started June 26 and went on every night through July 6 with “surprise” encores two to four times a week through early September. And I have heard too many similar stories from across the valley.

Many of the people putting on these “shows” are from places where fireworks are either illegal or more strictly limited and apparently are enjoying or abusing the fact that they are mostly unrestricted here (except for city ordinances in Kalispell, Whitefish and Columbia Falls). These otherwise appreciated visitors are by no means the only offenders though.  

On several occasions after midnight, I (and others) have called the authorities for help, but since it was fireworks, nothing could be done. A loud party, yes, but not fireworks.

Regardless of the hour, fireworks can have other potentially devastating and disruptive impacts. Many have witnessed a significant disregard for fire dangers, with irresponsible launches into trees and/or “shrapnel” landing on neighboring roofs and properties. Just because we’ve had some rain doesn’t make this OK either.

Parents with young kids can be forced to close windows and create white noise so their children can try to get to sleep at something resembling a reasonable hour. And too many people have to medicate their terrified and shaking pets every time the booms begin, two to four times a week. If their pets are home alone, it can be a lot worse. How can any of this be OK?

As public noises go, fireworks are considered to be in the top 10. Visit online at http://listverse.com/2007/11/30/top-10-loudest-noises to see a list. Fireworks are listed at No. 9 between gunfire (No. 8) and a rock concert (No. 10). If someone were trying to go to bed and a rock concert started next door, or indiscriminate and potentially irresponsible gunfire were erupting nightly, would that be OK?

Fireworks have a long and wonderful tradition in this country, most notably to celebrate our nation’s independence, and for some to ring in the New Year. Now it appears that “Hey, it’s Tuesday night and getting dark” is all that’s needed.

It is not my intention to end the use of fireworks or destroy people’s fun. But when everyone in a mile or so radius is forced to participate in that “fun,” common-sense measures for a lack of common courtesy problem can and should be considered.

This is a beautiful and serene place, and I and many many others would just like to get some of the latter back.

Andy Malone is an Echo Lake area resident.