ANCHORAGE, Alaska (KTUU) – While Alaskans enjoy the beauty of the aurora for most of the winter season, New Year’s Eve gives a select few the chance to light up the night sky in a different way.
“It’s the perfect time to light up that dark Alaska sky and celebrate with a bang,” said Sam Bouma, general manager of Gorilla Fireworks in Houston, the only city in southcentral Alaska where buying and lighting fireworks is legal.
“We keep it legal in the city of Houston because fireworks are safe when used properly and when used in accordance with their actual manufacturer guidelines,” said Christian Hartley, Houston Fire Chief.
Hartley told Alaska’s News Source that, while the City of Houston wants people to enjoy the holiday, there are a few things to keep in mind while enjoying the light show.
“Do not shoot off fireworks anywhere closer than about 50 feet from the trees, and if they go into the trees, go over there and make sure that it didn’t light anything on fire,” he said.
Hartley also pointed to metal-tipped sparklers as a safety risk, especially for children.
“The tips of them can burn at 2000 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s enough to weld with that. That should not be in the hands of a child.”
While the drier summer conditions caused certain fireworks, such as Roman candles, to be banned for the Fourth of July, Hartley said these restrictions have been eased for the winter.
“During the wintertime, Roman candles are fine. The rockets are fine,” he said.
“The biggest thing is remembering that you are responsible for those fireworks when you shoot them off and to make sure that you’re being safe.”
“I’ve seen a lot of families and groups coming out, putting whole shows together,” said Bouma.
“Everything from a show in the box where it’s one light and it has anywhere from 9 to 100 plus shots going up, to individual mortar or artillery shells.”
According to Hartley, there is also a time limit for when people are allowed to light fireworks in Houston.
“Don’t ruin it for everybody by making a silly mistake and make sure you’re done by 1:00 AM. There is nowhere in this in the Matsu Valley where it is legal to shoot off fireworks after 1:00 AM.”
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