Government

County council limits fireworks to July 4, Dec. 31 in unincorporated Pierce

The Pierce County Council passed an ordinance Tuesday limiting the use of fireworks in unincorporated areas.

Starting in 2023, fireworks can only be discharged on July 4 and Dec. 31. The new legislation — ordinance 2021-79 — also gives the Pierce County fire marshal the authority to temporarily ban fireworks if conditions are unsafe, as determined by science.

Fireworks will be allowed only on July 4 and Dec. 31 beginning in 2023. Photo courtesy of Ed Johnson

The ordinance stipulates that the fire marshal will consult with the Pierce County executive before imposing a ban, and that science-based criteria be followed, using the “fuel moisture content” from six locations.

Prior to this, fireworks were allowed in unincorporated Pierce County July 1-5.

“This year’s hot, dry summer was a good example of when fireworks might be banned in the future,” Council Chair Derek Young said. “The fire danger made it an extreme risk to use fireworks. Conditions made it really dangerous this year, and we realized that it was time for the Council to act.”

Young, who represents District 7, including Gig Harbor and the Key Peninsula, has tried before to get similar legislation passed. Last time, he said, there was “lots of opposition. The (fireworks) industry showed up and started drafting amendments for our council members and that just wasn’t going to work.”

This time around, District 1 Councilmember Dave Morrell and District 6 Councilmember Jani Hitchen joined the effort and helped craft the new ordinance.

“I think the public now understands that a weeklong use of fireworks is a problem,” Young said, adding that some people prefer to ban fireworks all together. And, as extremely hot and dry summers become more common, that may happen someday.

Fireworks can be banned on July 4 if it is scientifically deemed that conditions are too dry. Photo courtesy of Ed Johnson

One last-minute addition to the ordinance stipulates that the fire marshal will advise the Council, probably in April, about how soon before July 4 a ban can be issued. That way, people can know in advance if there will be restrictions.

“This is a sensible and balanced ordinance that narrows the formula down to determine whether a ban is necessary and gives good science as to why it’s being done,” Morell said in a press release. “Yes, it’s taking away days when fireworks could be used, but by adding a day in December, we are increasing the opportunity for when nonprofits can sell fireworks.”

Currently fireworks can be sold from noon to 11 p.m. on June 28, from 9 a.m. to p.m. June 29 through July 4, and from noon to 8 p.m. Dec. 7 through Dec. 31.

It’s unlikely that fireworks will be banned in December, because the weather is usually rainy then, Young noted. His hope is that Gig Harbor and other cities will “follow the county’s lead so we have consistency throughout the county about when fireworks can be used,” he said. “As a Gig Harbor resident, I’ll be encouraging that myself.”

The new ordinance does not apply to tribes, but fireworks purchased on a reservation are only legal on the reservation — nowhere else. And it’s no longer just a criminal offense to use those fireworks in another location.

“The burden of proof is now lower and enforcement is easier. And you can actually receive a citation — you get a ticket that comes with a very steep fine,” Young said.

State law limits the kinds of fireworks that can be sold at local stands, and that does not include the “big bang” things that are available on reservations.

Also, big fireworks displays are also regulated by the state, Young said.

“We’d actually like to see more of that — local communities and jurisdictions putting on big displays that the whole community can enjoy.”