West Richland residents press council for stricter fireworks rules after July 4 fires; council schedules workshop

At the July 15 West Richland City Council meeting, more than a dozen residents urged the council to tighten rules on consumer fireworks after a July 4 period they said produced multiple fires, property damage and severe noise disruption. Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brink opened a public comment period that drew sustained testimony from neighbors, veterans and business owners.

The complaints focused on the volume of fireworks sales and the risk of ignition on dry land. “The primary job for you the city council and its first priority should always be to protect the citizens from all harmful activities,” resident Jerry Boggs told the council. Several speakers cited recent local fires and called the current situation unsafe for pets and people with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Why it matters: commentators and some council members said the city’s combination of hot, dry weather and many temporary fireworks stands increases wildfire risk and strains public-safety resources. Council members said they will pursue a focused follow-up: a council workshop to craft options and a presentation from the fire chief at the September 2 council meeting.

Residents gave multiple on-the-ground examples. Kathleen Aaron Royds, who said she uses cochlear implants, described being “terrified to go to sleep” because she worried a fire would start and she would not receive notification. Elizabeth Golovitch said fireworks ignited dry grass near her new home; police arrived within about 10 minutes and extinguished the fire, she said, but her family had packed the car and prepared to evacuate. “We don’t feel safe in our house during the fireworks season now,” she said.

Speakers also offered policy suggestions. Nancy Aldridge suggested a low-cost permit program tied to point-of-sale accountability, and several speakers urged limiting sales or concentrating displays to a single professionally run show. Vendor Dan Youngs, who operates fireworks stands, urged education at point of sale and said prohibition would shift purchases to other jurisdictions: “there’s really no way that you’re going to ban any kind of fireworks here,” he said.

Council response and next steps: Councilmember John Smart reviewed state and municipal public-safety statutes during remarks and asked for a workshop. Councilmember Kate Moran and others pressed for action; Moran said the July period was “the last straw” for her. Mayor Pro Tem Fred Brink closed the discussion by saying the council will set the policy direction: “We decide the policy of the city, the 7 of us. We want to do it. We’re gonna hold a workshop,” and he confirmed Fire Chief Carlisle will appear before council on Sept. 2 to present department call data and observations from the July 4 period.

What was not decided: the council did not adopt any code change or ordinance at the July 15 meeting. Councilmembers discussed options including education, limiting sales, permitting, and banning aerial fireworks, but took no formal vote on any regulatory change.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to place a fireworks workshop on the council schedule and to coordinate the fire department briefing for Sept. 2. The council did not set an implementation timeline or formal ordinance at the July 15 meeting.