The Alaska State Fire Marshall’s Office has partially lifted the ban on fireworks sales however fireworks are still prohibited on the Kenai Peninsula unless a permit is obtained.
Kenai Fire Chief Jeff Tucker said the state’s ban on fireworks sales was a blanket ban but fireworks are still illegal in the City of Kenai except for New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Tucker: “It was kind of for the guys who are in Mat-Su who sell fireworks, they’re allowed now to do that again if the Mat-Su Borough so chooses to allow them to do that but the state just lifted their prohibition of sale and use. It’s really one of those areas where if you were allowed to before the state has lifted that ban, if you weren’t allowed to, it has no affect on you.”
A permit may be obtained through the Kenai Peninsula Borough Mayor’s office for fireworks displays.
Seward Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cindy Clock said they were waiting for the go-ahead for their 20 minute annual 4th of July Display.
Clock: “We’re going to have our 4th of July fireworks, it’ll actually be on Friday night but it’s one minute after midnight on the 4th(Saturday). But most of our visitors are in town on the night of the third and a lot of them leave after the men’s race is over on the fourth so we always have ours one night early.”
That display will be held on the Harbor Uplands and can be seen up over the bay.
The suspension of fireworks sales and use remains in effect for western Alaska.