LEWISTON — City officials are reminding residents that fireworks are only permitted in a limited fashion over the Independence Day holiday. Across the river in Auburn, consumer fireworks are not permitted at all.
But, even with the restrictions, the annual fireworks complaints are rolling in.
According to Lewiston Police Lt. Dave St. Pierre, there have been eight fireworks complaints since the beginning of June. One led to a civil summons being issued on June 20.
“Despite fireworks being legal, there are many rules applicable, such as discharge dates and there are zones that they cannot be discharged,” he said.
In Lewiston, those dates are Dec. 31, Jan. 1 and July 4, when fireworks are allowed from 10 a.m. through 10 p.m. However, the city’s ordinance stipulates that fireworks only be used in a specific discharge zone, which eliminates most of Lewiston’s main residential areas.
The discharge zone lines up with the city’s firearm discharge zones.
“It has to be outside the prohibited firearm discharge zones so there are actually limited area where they can be legally set off in Lewiston,” he said, adding that “persons also have to get permission from the landowner in permitted areas.”
Lewiston has received a total of 14 calls reporting fireworks violations since the start of 2021, St. Pierre said. One of the violations was initially reported as a suspected gunshot but was later found to have been fireworks.
St. Pierre said the city also has additional safety concerns for the holiday weekend, including the unusually dry, drought-like conditions in the area.
According to an earlier news release, fireworks use violations may be reported by calling 207-784-6421, option 1.
The discharge area can be found on the city’s website.
In Auburn, Mayor Jason Levesque said fireworks are only permitted through a commercial license. A fireworks display over the Great Falls and the Androscoggin River will be held as part of Liberty Fest on Saturday, July 3 at 9:30 p.m.
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