A Glenrock vendor sells fireworks that are illegal to set off there
ALLISON RUPP Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Wednesday, July 4, 2007 12:00 am
GLENROCK - The red sign on the road next to where Cory Landis sells fireworks warns people it is illegal to set off fireworks in Converse County.
The county posted the sign about a week after Landis set up his trailer at exit 165 of I-25 near Glenrock. Landis, of Riverton, sells fireworks from Freedom Fireworks during the summer months from this spot. He brought his trailer in at the beginning of June and by June 5, the Converse County Commission had passed a resolution banning the use of fireworks as well as burning trash and lighting open fires.
The commission decided to pass a temporary fire ban because of the extreme fire danger the recent dry, hot weather has caused, said county Undersheriff Don Schoenleber. During other times of the year, fireworks are allowed to be set off in Converse County.
Landis' trailer full of fireworks is only about 20 miles from Casper and only about 9 miles from the Natrona County border, making it very easy for Casper residents to get their hands on fireworks. However, the Natrona County Commission passed a law about 10 years ago prohibiting the sale and discharging of fireworks within the county.
Sparklers, smoke bombs and bottle rockets are all considered fireworks.
The ban and laws in the neighboring counties have not affected Landis' sales, and people in Converse and Natrona counties are still planning to set off fireworks.
The Converse County Commission has no legal mechanism to ban the sale of fireworks during a fire ban like this, said Jim Willox, chairman of the commission.
Ana Murphy and Neil Campbell of Douglas left Landis' trailer with a bag full of sparklers, smoke balls and bottle rockets.
They said they were aware of the fire ban in Converse County, but they were just getting a few small items "to goof around with in the backyard" after they watch the big fireworks show at the Casper Events Center.
Landis said a lot of people come from Casper to buy fireworks, but he has no way of knowing where they plan to set them off. He said by the end of the weekend he would sell about 90 percent of what he had stocked in his trailer.
"People like fireworks," Landis said. "It's an American pasttime. A ticket may be worth it to them."
Schoenleber said the Converse County Sheriff's Office will have as many officers as possible out looking for people setting off fireworks and they will fine people $100.
In Natrona County, people can be fined up to $750 for setting off fireworks, said county commissioner Terry Wingerter, but he said he was not sure how well the law is enforced.
Lt. Mike Thompson of the Casper Police Department said if someone knowingly sets off a firework and is caught, he or she will be cited.
"If you put a lighter to it, that is knowingly," Thompson said. "The last thing we need is a fire damaging a lot of property."
However, Thompson admitted the police are busy responding to greater problems such as domestic disputes. He said if police officers hear fireworks going off in an area, they will typically stop. Officers will try to respond to as many fireworks complaints as possible.
He also warned it is illegal to even possess fireworks within Casper city limits and if a fire is caused by your fireworks, you can be charged with arson.
Landis said there are many people in the state who are unclear on what the county laws allow regarding fireworks. He said he has heard so many different stories from people regarding the laws and people are definitely confused.
"People ask me all the time where to shoot them off," Landis said. "I tell them I have no idea and to call up your local police department because it is up to them."
Contact health reporter Allison Rupp at (307) 266-0534 or allison.rupp@casperstartribune.net.