Fire Concerns Lead County to Consider Fireworks Ban
Unpermitted fireworks displays to be banned for the Fourth of July, 2027.
As County Commissioner Heather Dudley-Nollette puts it, there are some advantages to getting 20 less inches of rainfall per year than our neighbors in Seattle do. But one of the disadvantages is Jefferson County has become more prone to wildfire, and as a result, the county is taking action to lessen some of the risk by banning fireworks.
In the April 20 meeting, the Board of County Commissioners (BoCC) tasked county staff with updating wording in the code that would ban the sale and use of fireworks in Jefferson County, starting next year. Though they primarily are concerned with fire safety, public comments and an informal survey brought up other reasons to consider a ban.
“I have heard many comments over the last year about this issue from people who also express concerns around post traumatic stress disorder, and animals that they have to sedate in order to get through the night. And that's definitely part of the consideration,” Dudley-Nollette said.
While county staff is writing a new code for the BoCC to vote on, Dudley-Nollette stressed that there is still time for public opinion to be heard and taken into consideration.
“It's really important to me to address the concerns that we also hear about personal liberty. That is meaningful to me, and it's not something that I take lightly,” Dudley-Nollette said.
Though the ability to light off your own fireworks may disappear, the county is planning on making an easier pathway for permitting public displays.
They also are planning on working with law enforcement to lower the fines for first time violators more affordable. Currently, there is a $1,000 fine for lighting off fireworks during a burn ban. The BoCC have directed staff to make the new code into a graduated fee structure, starting at $250. Dudley-Nollette says that this is to make it easier to enforce. “We felt like a first time fine of $1,000 was too severe,” she said.
The public has several weeks to provide input on this decision before it comes before the BoCC for a vote. Once approved, the new law will not be implemented until 2027.
