Earthquake leaves BF fireworks in ruins

Due to a May 13 earthquake in China, where fireworks are manufactured, Bonners Ferry will not have its annual Fourth of July firework show this year.

“The fireworks are what we would call being pushed to the back of the priority list,” said Mountain West Bank President Skip O'Fallon, who for 17 years has donated his time to put on the display.

Earlier this year, China switched from having multiple shipping ports to one port. Because of the earthquake in China, the country has been unable to ship anything.

The 7.9-magnitude quake that killed near 10,000 people was the country's worst in three decades.

O'Fallon said some warehouses in the country have back-stock, but those fireworks are limited and will go to the towns with the biggest shows.

The fireworks show is funded by donations. Mountain West Bank in Bonners Ferry donates about $2,000 yearly.

O'Fallon hopes to have a big show next year.

“I'm not happy with this happening because I won't get my annual smell of gun powder,” he joked.