Alaska Fireworks

Alaska state law sets no statewide calendar for buying or using consumer fireworks: neither the state fireworks statute (AS 18.72) nor the State Fire Marshal's fireworks rules (13 AAC 50.025, International Fire Code 5608 as amended for Alaska) limit sales or use to particular dates or hours. Instead, every city and organized borough may prohibit or regulate the sale, use or explosion of fireworks more strictly than the state (AS 18.72.060), and local rules commonly limit fireworks to certain holidays or hours, or ban them altogether. A private display using 250 gross pounds or more of consumer fireworks needs a state event permit applied for at least 14 days ahead. Check your city or borough's rules — and any fire-danger burn restrictions — before lighting.

In Alaska, fireworks may not be sold to a person under the age of 18 years, and may not be sold to anyone who is or appears to be intoxicated or otherwise chemically impaired (13 AAC 50.025, adopting International Fire Code 5608.11.10-5608.11.11 as amended for Alaska). A person under 18 also may not be employed where fireworks are sold or stored (5608.11.9). Fireworks are sold at retail only by sellers holding a State Fire Marshal permit and endorsement for each sales location, displayed conspicuously at the stand (AS 18.72.020; IFC 5608.11.8). Cities and boroughs may restrict or ban fireworks sales and use more strictly than the state (AS 18.72.060), so being old enough to buy does not mean you may light them where you are.

In Alaska, an individual does not need a personal state permit to buy and use ordinary amounts of consumer fireworks, but there is a threshold: a state fireworks event permit is required for each public or private display involving any amount of 1.3G (display) fireworks or 250 gross pounds (113.4 kg) or more of consumer fireworks, applied for at least 14 days ahead (13 AAC 50.025, IFC 5608.2 as amended). Sellers need a State Fire Marshal retail permit and endorsement for each location, backed by public and products liability insurance (AS 18.72.020); wholesalers need an annual license (18.72.030); and display fireworks may be bought, possessed and used only by a licensed pyrotechnic operator who obtains a permit at least 14 days before a display (18.72.035). Cities and boroughs may require more or ban fireworks entirely (18.72.060).