Big bursts of fireworks were visible across the Treasure Valley overnight, and since July 1, Ada County says they've received 392 calls related to illegal fireworks -- keeping law enforcement plenty busy.
They're beautiful to watch, but unless you're authorized to set them off, aerial fireworks are illegal in the gem state.
In the past 24 hours, agencies across the valley responded to hundreds of reports of illegal firework activity. Ada County alone fielded 266 calls Tuesday night.
"Your officers are stretched pretty thin, running to all of the different areas, trying to respond to those area information complaints," said Deputy Chief Tracy Basterrechea with the Meridian Police Department.
Police say calls related to illegal fireworks have been coming in hot since July 1; but unless they actually see you lighting off illegal fireworks, or someone -- like a neighbor -- signs a complaint, there isn't much the police can do.
"They see us down the block and they don't set off any illegal fireworks and so, there's jut not a whole lot that we can do unless we catch them physically in the act," Basterrechea said.
Police say there is no cut-off date for lighting "safe and sane," or legal fireworks. Of course ,during the night, officers are still responsible for other service calls.
"We'll still have some people setting off fireworks, probably at least over the next day or two, if not during the weekend," Basterrechea said. "And it's a headache for the neighbors, and it's a headache for us."
Nampa Police say they received 96 fireworks-related calls Tuesday night, as well.
