Fire chief: complaints halved but three small fires reported; council moves to align fireworks rules with state law

Norwalk’s fire chief reported a decline in fireworks-related complaints this year and briefed the council on public-safety incidents tied to fireworks, while the council moved to amend local fireworks rules to conform with state law.

Chief Staples told the council that Norwalk recorded 22 fireworks complaints this year compared with 44 last year, and that agencies across the metro generally saw declines. The city issued two citations this year and reported three small fires (a truck fire, a brush fire and a dumpster/vehicle fire) connected to fireworks activity; the brush fire self-extinguished and officials said there were no injuries.

The council introduced a first reading of an ordinance to amend Norwalk Municipal Code section 41.12 to align with Iowa Code section 727.24, which sets the dates and times when fireworks are permitted. Under the proposed change the city will permit fireworks on July 3, July 4 and Dec. 31 with specified expanded hours; council discussion also referenced possible changes to how the city contracts or oversees commercial displays after a malfunction at this year’s show caused a grass fire that was quickly controlled.

Chief Staples said anecdotal evidence and shared metro data suggest that allowing fireworks on the specified state-permitted dates likely reduced cross‑jurisdiction travel for displays, which may explain fewer calls. Council voted to approve the ordinance’s first reading and discussed scheduling subsequent readings and potential procedural changes for next year’s show.