Skamania County schedules public hearing on proposed fireworks restrictions during extreme fire weather

Skamania County commissioners at a workshop voted to schedule a public hearing in April on proposed code language to restrict consumer fireworks during extreme fire weather and to permit supervised public displays under a permit from the fire marshal.

The draft ordinance would add emergency-use restrictions (referenced in the presentation as section 8.58.0.03) tied to a scientific fire-risk matrix staff used to determine when restrictions should apply. The county’s draft mirrors provisions in the City of Stevenson’s ordinance and would allow public displays when a permit is issued by the fire marshal while limiting consumer use during declared emergency restrictions.

Community Development staff presenting the draft said they included the “latest fire matrix data” so decisions are “science based and not emotionally based.” The draft also explicitly preserves the option for public displays — typically manufactured shows overseen by vendors and coordinated with fire officials — while restricting individual use when conditions meet the matrix thresholds.

Enforcement and penalties were discussed but not finalized. County staff said the state statute (RCW) includes authority for civil infractions tied to fireworks restrictions and indicated a civil penalty could apply; the draft as discussed did not add a new county criminal penalty. The presentation and subsequent discussion noted that enforcement tools may include the sheriff’s office, the state fire marshal, or delegated authority to local fire district chiefs, but participants asked staff to verify specific enforcement authority and delegation mechanisms in state code.

Commissioners and fire officials said practical enforcement is a concern: civil infractions require witnessed violations and, historically, neighboring jurisdictions write relatively few tickets because officers must observe offenses. Several participants said the draft ordinance’s public-message value — making restrictions clear to residents and retailers when extreme fire weather occurs — is an important purpose even if enforcement is limited.

Retailers were invited to the workshop and one retail representative thanked staff for the invitation and had no further comment. Commissioners referenced North Bonneville’s existing rule, where the city’s fire chief makes the call on restrictions. Fire officials described coordination practices used for permitted public displays (consultation among vendor, fire chief, and fire marshal; contingency planning and final on‑site decisions), and said permitted displays typically involve multiple layers of vendor and fire‑department oversight.

At the workshop a commissioner moved to schedule a public hearing to adopt the ordinance; the board voted in favor and the motion carried. Staff said the ordinance adoption will require a public hearing (the presenter said that) and that advertisements must be published at least two weeks prior to the hearing. Staff also said they have a draft resolution ready to accompany adoption and will return with final language and the enforcement clarification requested by commissioners.

Next steps: staff will return the draft ordinance and a resolution for placement on the board’s agenda, confirm the enforcement authority in state statute and any delegation options, and publish the public-hearing notice as required by county code and state law.