Personal Fireworks: The Rules In Nevada

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Personal Fireworks: The Rules in Nevada
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Personal Fireworks: The Rules in Nevada
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30 miles outside of Reno on tribal land, Jerry Hernandez is ready to celebrate. Looking over the shelves at the I-80 smoke shop in Wadsworth of the latest and greatest in consumer fireworks, he told us, "These right here, you light 'em up and they shoot up one at a time!" For Jerry, it’s a traditional stop to stock up for the holiday. As he told us, “I've been doing this since I was a kid."

It's that way for David Dalasohya too. Fourth of July...is fireworks. What does he love about them? "Hearing everything going all night long, everybody's lighting them up and down the lake, so it’s a pretty nice scene."

Mike Jiminez loves fireworks too…so much, it has become his business. The fireworks vendor showed off what the store has in stock: "There's 24 different artillery shells in here...you get large displays with multiple colors." At the I-80 smoke shop, there's plenty to choose from…from "Maximum Load M-70 Crackers" to "Black Box Artillery". Scott Carey, business manager of the Lake Pyramid Paiute Tribe says the selection this year is the best ever. As he put it, "I think they're getting bigger and better, you know...louder and they make all sorts of new noises.”

But there is some inherent danger this holiday weekend...especially when it comes to fire. Across town, Reno Division Fire Chief Seth Williams has a different take on personal fireworks. He was called out to Reno's Melody Lane Fire in July 2004, when fireworks sent 4 homes up in smoke. It’s not the only fire caused by fireworks, but one of the worst. As he explained it, "My take on consumer fireworks is they're a bad idea in any case. Look at the decks of these homes, with all the combustible material built right up the slope, and so the fire was very fast, fast-moving."

Exactly how fast-moving that fire was is shown in the YouTube video “Melody Lane Fire.” After the fire races up the hill from dry brush, you can see how unstoppable it is. And conditions today make it easy to happen again. Williams told us, "Absolutely. We're primed for that. We're seeing a lot of heat right now. We had a nice, moist winter so we have a lot of fuels in the ground."

Back in Wadsworth, there are strict rules at the smoke shop. Scott Carey told us, "When you purchase fireworks here you sign a permit, and that permit says you will use those fireworks at Pyramid Lake." You also have to be over 18, and prove it with a valid ID. Still, much of the fireworks do make their way into where it’s illegal, and penalties are also strict. Williams told us, "In Washoe County, the possession of a firework is illegal. So theoretically, you drive off the parking lot of a place where you can buy them, you're guilty of a misdemeanor." Possession and use of fireworks is illegal in most of Nevada. Carey insists the tribe wants them used only where they’re allowed, and the permit specifies exactly where those places are where they can be used legally. He added, “The tribes selling fireworks is a way to draw tourism and economic development for the tribe."

Both Williams and Carey do agree...when it comes to these, safety is all-important.

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