A Boise family is seeking $40 million in damages from the city following a serious injury sustained by their daughter during the Idaho Potato Drop fireworks display on New Year’s Day, citing what they characterize as inadequate event oversight and safety planning. The incident has renewed scrutiny of how the city manages one of the Treasure Valley’s signature celebrations and raises questions about whether current permitting procedures adequately protect public safety at large gatherings in Ada County.
Isabella Ratto was struck by glass fragments when the “Wall of Fire” fireworks display malfunctioned at midnight on January 1, 2026, at Cecil D. Andrus Park in front of the Idaho State Capitol building. The blast, consisting of eight fireballs, shattered windows not only at the venue but at nearby buildings, including the AT&T building at the corner of West Bannock Street and North Capitol Boulevard and the Capitol’s fourth-floor rotunda. Isabella suffered a severe laceration extending from her left eye to the right side of her jaw and required surgery and skin grafts at St. Luke’s Children’s Hospital.
Pattern of Safety Concerns at Annual Event
The Ratto family filed a tort claim against the city of Boise on June 11, naming the city council office, City Attorney Jayme Sullivan, the community engagement office, and the special events team. In the claim, the family alleges “numerous concerns with the event planning” dating back to at least 2018—well before this year’s incident.
The Idaho Potato Drop, now in its 13th year, operates as an independent private business but requires a special events permit issued by the city. The city also issued a separate permit to Sirjan Productions for the fireworks display. According to the family’s complaint, the event has generated a troubling injury record: three minor injuries and two major injuries over 13 years prior to Isabella’s incident. One of those major injuries involved Alex Church, who was left paralyzed after an accident on the event’s ski course on December 31, 2023.
City Staff Acknowledged Safety Issues
Internal city communications suggest that officials were aware of problems with the event’s planning and execution. Maria Weeg, Boise’s Community Engagement Director, noted during planning discussions that “almost every walkthrough, I get some major note”—an indication that safety violations or design flaws were consistently identified during preparation for the event.
A 2021 meeting between city officials and Potato Drop CEO Dylan Cline revealed tensions over the event’s management. Cline responded to concerns raised during that meeting by stating, “It’s obvious that nobody appreciates what we do here,” suggesting friction between organizers and city oversight bodies.
Despite these documented concerns, the city continued to issue permits for the event. A planning meeting was held on December 3, 2025—less than a month before the New Year’s Day incident. Following the January 1 fireworks malfunction, a Boise City Council meeting in February addressed the incident, though specifics of the city’s response remain limited.
Police Investigation and Recovery Efforts
The Boise Police Department completed an evaluation of the incident and concluded that the event commission was not at fault for what occurred on January 1, 2026. However, the family’s $40 million tort claim suggests they believe the city bears responsibility for failing to adequately oversee and regulate a private event with a documented history of safety problems.
Following the incident, the AT&T building’s three damaged windows on the first floor were covered with plywood, a temporary but visible reminder of the event’s hazards to downtown Boise businesses and residents.
What Comes Next
The tort claim filed by the Ratto family represents an initial step in the legal process. Under Idaho law, the city has a limited period to respond to the claim before the family may pursue litigation. The outcome could influence how Boise structures permits and safety requirements for large public events going forward.
Residents with concerns about public event safety in Ada County can contact the Boise City Council or review the city’s special events permitting process through the official Boise city website. Those interested in learning more about event safety protocols may also reach out to the community engagement office to request documentation of past planning meetings and safety assessments.
The case also raises broader questions about whether other major Treasure Valley events—including festivals, fireworks displays, and outdoor gatherings—receive comparable levels of safety review and accountability.