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Norwalk holds first reading on fireworks rules after state law change; fire chief reports fewer complaints and a city-show malfunction that started a brush fire
Summary
The council held a first reading to amend city fireworks rules to match Iowa Code section 727.24; Fire Chief Staples reported fewer complaints citywide but said a malfunction at the city fireworks display caused a brush fire and officials are reviewing the vendor's equipment.
The Norwalk City Council held a first reading of an ordinance to amend municipal fireworks regulations to conform with Iowa Code section 727.24 and heard a summary from the fire chief about this year’s fireworks activity and incidents.
“Almost everybody had a decrease” in fireworks-related complaints this year, Fire Chief Staples told the council, noting Norwalk received 22 complaints in 2025 versus 44 the previous year. The regional comparison reflected changes in local bans and allowed days under the new state law.
The ordinance amendment would limit permitted fireworks detonation to the state-authorized dates (July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31) with specific allowed hours on those dates, matching the state’s new timetable. Councilors voted to advance the ordinance on its first reading: the motion to proceed was made by Council Member Livingston, seconded by Council Member Baker, and passed on roll call.
Chief Staples told the council that officers issued two citations this season and that the department recorded three fires connected to fireworks: a dumpster fire, a vehicle fire and a brush fire. He also reported that a malfunction during the city’s contracted fireworks show caused a small grass/brush fire that was extinguished and did not result in crowd injuries. “It was determined from the fireworks company and the shooters that it could have been a product failure,” Staples said. He described the incident as a “near miss” and said staff are reviewing how the city procures and deploys fireworks shows.
Councilors asked for and received a summary of regional data collected by metro-area fire agencies. Staples said some apparent drops in complaints reflect that several communities prohibited fireworks in the prior year; this year’s limited permitted days likely reduced off-site use that previously drew people to Norwalk. The council also discussed proposed edits to recreational-burning language and related open-burning code changes at first reading.
The ordinance will return for a second reading; councilors requested staff to consider whether the city’s permitting or procurement practices for professional fireworks displays should change following the malfunction report.
