Residents who plan to shoot fireworks this Independence Day season should check the rules for the city or county where they live, because Kansas leaves consumer fireworks discharge times to local authorities, according to the Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office. State law still bans bottle rockets, silver salutes, M-80s and M-100s, and prohibits shooting fireworks on or under vehicles, on public roadways, within 300 feet of a fireworks stand or fireworks storage area, at gas stations, or where liquid gas, including propane, is stored. Kansas State Fire Marshal In Council Grove, fireworks may be discharged within the city limits and at Lake Park from July 1 through July 5 each year. Discharge is allowed from 8 a.m. to midnight July 1, 2, 3 and 4, and from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 5. Bottle rockets and similar self-propelled devices with guiding sticks or rods are prohibited. Fireworks may not be discharged on public streets, alleys, avenues, parks or public places, except as allowed at Lake Park. The city ordinance also prohibits throwing or propelling fireworks toward people, animals, groups of people or vehicles. Private fireworks use is prohibited within 300 feet of a planned public fireworks event for 24 hours before the event and through the conclusion of the event.
In Cottonwood Falls, fireworks may be discharged from 8 a.m. to midnight June 27 through July 5, according to Ordinance No. 933. Bottle rockets and similar self-propelled fireworks with guiding sticks or rods may not be sold or discharged in the city. The ordinance also prohibits throwing fireworks toward people, animals or vehicles, or from or into a vehicle. Public fireworks displays require a city permit.
Chase County does not have a single county-wide fireworks ordinance. In unincorporated rural areas, state law applies unless another local restriction, burn ban or emergency order is in place. The Kansas State Fire Marshal’s Office says it does not regulate when consumer fireworks may be discharged; that decision is left to local authorities.
For unincorporated areas of Morris County, no county-wide discharge schedule was confirmed for this article. Residents outside city limits should follow Kansas law, observe any burn ban or emergency order, and avoid public roads, vehicles, gas stations, propane storage areas and other restricted locations.
In Herington, available city guidance states that consumer fireworks may be discharged on private property from June 27 through July 5, from noon to midnight. Bottle rockets are prohibited.
Public displays or use on cityowned property are limited to approved designated locations, such as Tripp Football Field, areas at the lake and the Herington Fairgrounds. Because the available Herington information was dated 2020, residents may want to confirm current rules with the city before discharging fireworks.
Residents should also remember that dry grass, wind and nearby structures can make legal fireworks unsafe. When in doubt, check with the city, county, fire department or sheriff’s office before lighting fireworks.