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Lamar officials outline fireworks rules and explain storm-siren policy after recent wind damage
Summary
City staff reviewed the fireworks times allowed under state rules and explained the city's siren activation threshold and weather-monitoring practices after recent high winds caused damage.
City staff at the Lamar council meeting on July 1 reviewed the municipal policy on fireworks display times and described the city's storm-siren activation rule following recent wind damage in town.
A city official identified as the Fire Chief told residents that state law allows fireworks during specified hours around July Fourth: “9AM to 10 on the third, 9AM to 11 on the fourth. That's what the state allows. Lamar's also allows on the fifth, up until 11PM.” The chief reminded residents that fireworks must be set off on private property and not in parks or on streets.
On storm response, the Fire Chief said the city follows a disaster plan adopted in 1985 that triggers sirens when sustained winds reach an EF-1 tornado level of 70 mph. The chief said the recent storm produced sustained 63 mph winds and that the city continuously consults the National Weather Service and a radar system at the airport to monitor wind speeds and funnel-cloud activity. “We sound our sirens when the winds reach an EF 1 tornado level, which is 70 mile an hour,” the chief said. Staff and officers patrolled during the storm; the chief said crews responded to 5 or 6 locations where power lines were down and that tree damage caused many outages.
Why it matters: The explanation clarified why sirens did not sound during the recent wind event and reiterated safety guidance on fireworks, including times and property restrictions.
Ending: Officials urged residents to follow property rules for fireworks and to report hazards; no changes to siren-activation thresholds were proposed during the meeting.
