Fireworks

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The City of La Crosse recognizes fireworks are an important part of our country's culture and celebrations around the 4th of July. We strongly recommend and encourage you to leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Per State Statute, no person may use fireworks without a permit issued from the "...mayor of the city, president of the village or chairperson of the town in which the possession or use is to occur..."

The City of La Crosse only issues permits to professional outfits. The permit you get from the stand up tent outside the city's limits allows you to possess the fireworks, but holds no legal value once you shoot them off. It is illegal to use fireworks in the City of La Crosse that explode or leave the ground. The below table outlines legal and illegal fireworks:

The citation for shooting off illegal fireworks in the City of La Crosse is upwards of $500, including court fees (Sec. 18-102).

This law exists because illegal fireworks are dangerous. According to the National Fire Protection Association, in 2018 an estimated 19,500 fires in the United States were started by fireworks. These fires caused over $105 million in direct property damages. Over 9,000 people sustained injuries from fireworks in 2023 and many of these injuries were gruesome injuries to hands, eyes, face and head:

fireworks cdc

Not only are illegal fireworks dangerous, they also can have significant impacts on many of our community members. Illegal fireworks may negatively affect our military veterans, those with dementia, those who have an autism diagnosis or those with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Illegal fireworks also negatively affect many of our four-legged fury friends.

Please be considerate of all our community members this 4th of July and choose to leave the fireworks to the professionals.

Keep La Crosse safe this July—show us your fireworks bucket brigade for a chance to win a firetruck visit and popsicles with the crew! Get a metal bucket full of water. After the use of your legal fireworks- soak in your bucket. Take a photo along the by Molly McCormick

Fireworks Safety Bucket Brigade by Molly McCormick