With the Fourth of July and the America 250 celebrations approaching, Rapid City Police and Fire officials are reminding residents about local fireworks laws and the safety precautions that come with them.
Fireworks are not permitted within Rapid City city limits or the Black Hills Fire Protection District. Only small novelty items — like party poppers, snappers, toy caps, sparklers and flitter sparklers — are allowed. Using any other fireworks within one mile of the city can lead to fines up to $500, 30 days in jail, or both.
The Rapid City Fire Department warns that fireworks can cause serious injuries and fires within seconds. For those celebrating in areas where fireworks are allowed, officials urge adults to supervise all activity, keep water and a first‑aid kit nearby, wear eye protection, and fully soak used fireworks before throwing them away. Even sparklers can be dangerous, burning at roughly 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fire Chief Jason Culberson says Independence Day should be a celebration, not a tragedy, and encourages families to make safe, legal choices. Police Chief Don Hedrick adds that Rapid City offers several community‑sanctioned fireworks displays, which provide a safe alternative for holiday festivities.
Both the Rapid City Police Department and Fire Department will have extra personnel on duty leading up to the holiday to respond to fireworks complaints. Anyone caught discharging illegal fireworks in the city may face criminal penalties and confiscation of their fireworks.
