The City of Missoula, along with our partner agencies in the Missoula County Fire Protection Association, ask Missoula residents to keep everyone safe by refraining from the use of fireworks.
The use of most fireworks in the city of Missoula is illegal. Fireworks are prohibited on open space lands, all U.S. Forest Service lands, in City and County parks and County-managed recreation areas and at all Fish, Wildlife and Parks fishing access sites. This includes Fort Missoula Regional Park.
In addition to concern about fire danger, City and County staff receive numerous public complaints each year that fireworks frighten and disturb neighbors, upset pets, upset veterans and cause injuries.
The Fireworks Report Line is open 24 hours a day during the holiday period through July 5. It is operated by the emergency dispatchers at the City-County Office of Emergency Management’s Missoula 9-1-1 Center. To report violations, call 258-4850. The report line will operate through July 5. Police officers and Fire Department personnel will respond to as many complaints as possible. Firefighters as well as police officers have the authority to issue citations. The penalties are $100 plus court costs for a first offense and $300 plus court costs for a second offense during the same calendar year.
Professional public displays, which are allowed by permit from the Missoula Fire Department chief, are done safely at pre-determined times and are short in duration. Public displays in Missoula will be held on Friday, June 30, and Saturday, July 1, at the civic stadium following the PaddleHeads baseball game. For information, visit the PaddleHeads website. Southgate Mall will not sponsor a fireworks show this year.
The Missoula City Council amended the fireworks ordinance in 2014 to allow the sale and discharge of “novelty” fireworks in the city. These include sparklers, party poppers and other small fireworks. Visit the City website for a complete description.