Fines More Than Triple for Fireworks Violations

Violating a ban on fireworks over the Fourth of July holiday could really cost you this year!  Fire danger is extremely high and a ban on fireworks has been issued.  The City of Billings Municipal Court has set a fine of $500 for fireworks violations. That’s up for the normal $110.

Stage fire restrictions were issued for all of Yellowstone County last week which means a ban on open fires and smoking outdoors. The Billings Police Department will be strictly enforcing fireworks violations in the city.   The Department will have extra patrols on duty to respond to fireworks violations and officers are instructed to issue citations for all fireworks violations where probable cause exits.  Fireworks will also be taken as evidence when citations are issued and later destroyed by the Bomb Squad.  An emergency ordinance has also been issued in Laurel that bans fireworks.  However that ordinance does not apply to the Laurel fireworks show.  That will go ahead as planned.