Mountain Home moved burn ban earlier; Fourth of July fireworks OK if 'safe and sane,' chief says
June 15, 2026 | Mountain Home, Elmore County, Idaho
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Mayor Sykes and Chief Mark Moore told listeners on the city’s Mayor Mondays livestream that Mountain Home’s burn ban was moved up to June 5 and will not cancel the city’s Fourth of July fireworks show so long as participants use only approved "safe and sane" fireworks.
Chief Mark Moore said the change was a collaborative decision with Commissioner Bud Corbus based on dry conditions, a recent Flyby-area fire and sustained high winds. "The projections for where we're at is about a month further than we would be typically in a year," Moore said, explaining the move to an earlier start date.
Moore outlined what the burn ban prohibits: open burning including burn barrels, burning trash, sticks and leaves. He said recreational fires remain allowed when they are in an approved, contained burn pit no larger than three feet in circumference, use clean wood appropriate for cooking marshmallows or hot dogs, have a hose or shovel nearby, and be roughly 20 to 30 feet from structures. He added that gas fire pits are allowed.
On fireworks, Moore said the city’s public display is "a go" but emphasized that individual residents must limit private fireworks to consumer "safe and sane" types sold in city limits — items that do not fly above roughly 10 feet. Mayor Sykes urged common-sense precautions at Legacy Park and other viewing locations, citing traffic and safety concerns.
For details, Moore pointed residents to a copy of the ordinance on the city website and advised calling the fire station for clarifications or leaving a message for a callback.
The burn ban moved into effect June 5, 2026; residents were asked to monitor the city website and contact the fire station with questions.
Chief Mark Moore said the change was a collaborative decision with Commissioner Bud Corbus based on dry conditions, a recent Flyby-area fire and sustained high winds. "The projections for where we're at is about a month further than we would be typically in a year," Moore said, explaining the move to an earlier start date.
Moore outlined what the burn ban prohibits: open burning including burn barrels, burning trash, sticks and leaves. He said recreational fires remain allowed when they are in an approved, contained burn pit no larger than three feet in circumference, use clean wood appropriate for cooking marshmallows or hot dogs, have a hose or shovel nearby, and be roughly 20 to 30 feet from structures. He added that gas fire pits are allowed.
On fireworks, Moore said the city’s public display is "a go" but emphasized that individual residents must limit private fireworks to consumer "safe and sane" types sold in city limits — items that do not fly above roughly 10 feet. Mayor Sykes urged common-sense precautions at Legacy Park and other viewing locations, citing traffic and safety concerns.
For details, Moore pointed residents to a copy of the ordinance on the city website and advised calling the fire station for clarifications or leaving a message for a callback.
The burn ban moved into effect June 5, 2026; residents were asked to monitor the city website and contact the fire station with questions.
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