Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Fireworks Regulation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council asks staff to draft fireworks rules tying personal use to declared fire danger; no sales ban sought
Summary
After debate on risks, The Dalles council directed staff to prepare a draft ordinance or resolution that would regulate personal use of fireworks by reference to a fire‑danger trigger (e.g., fire chief or comparable declaration). Council did not direct a ban on sales and confirmed the city’s professional Fourth of July display will continue.
The Dalles City Council on March 24 discussed whether to restrict fireworks sales or personal use during higher fire‑danger conditions. Councilors and staff reviewed options — from no local regulation to an outright sales ban to limited use (for example, permitting personal use only on New Year’s Eve) — and heard that neighboring jurisdictions are moving toward stricter limits.
City Manager staff presented background and a matrix of options. Councilors expressed concerns about wildfire risk and the annual pattern of councils issuing temporary bans in June; several members said they preferred a clearer, predictable approach rather than repeated emergency actions. Multiple councilors voiced particular concern for nonprofit sellers that use fireworks as fundraisers and asked staff to minimize unintended harm to local fundraisers.
After extended discussion, council gave staff direction to prepare a draft ordinance or resolution that: (1) does not ban sales by vendors at the city level, and (2) ties personal use restrictions to a clear, administrable trigger tied to public‑safety declarations (for example, a fire‑danger declaration or burn ban declared by the appropriate fire authority). Staff said it will return with a draft for council consideration in roughly four weeks. The city continues to support a professionally produced, contracted fireworks display for the Fourth of July.
