On Wednesday, May 31, the Iowa State Fire Marshal’s Office opened an online fireworks licensing portal, and in the first 24 hours, more than 88 applications were started, with 46 filed. They anticipate doing a brisk business in the next few weeks as more than 600 individuals and companies have established accounts to allow them to apply for licenses. “We hope to be able to turn around the applications and have licenses issued within three to five days,” says State Fire Marshal, Jeff Quigle. Of the 46 licenses filed, 15 are for sales out of permanent structures and 31 are for temporary structures. In addition, four applications were filed and approved for the registration of fireworks wholesalers. Sales of first and second-class consumer fireworks are allowed from June 1 through July 8 and again from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3 in permanent structures and from June 13 through July 8 in temporary structures. Anyone selling fireworks must be licensed by the State Fire Marshal. Consumer fireworks are classified as things such as roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers and sparklers.
