Palmer loosens fireworks rules for New Year's Eve

The Associated Press

PALMER, Alaska - Officials in Palmer have declared fireworks legal in the city limits for seven hours between new Year's Eve and New Year's Day.

City Councilman Richard Best sponsored the fireworks ordinance, which was unanimously approved. Best says he grew up in an area where setting fireworks off on New Year's Eve was legal. For a lot of families, setting off fireworks on New Year's is a tradition, so he says they're going to do it whether it's legal or not.

Best said the new city rule is modeled after Wasilla's fireworks regulations. That city's council changed its law in 2007 to allow New Year's Eve fireworks for similar reasons.

Central Mat-Su Deputy Fire Chief Michael Keenan says the new rule in Wasilla hasn't led to a rash of injuries.

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