Redmond council hears split public comment on proposed fireworks ban as chiefs present safety data

Redmond City Council on Nov. 11 heard more than a dozen public comments both supporting and opposing a proposed ban on consumer fireworks and received presentations from police and fire officials about enforcement challenges and recent incidents.

Proponents including Karen Stouder and Richard Ford urged a ban, citing recent fire assists and the risks fireworks pose to homes, livestock and residents with post-traumatic stress disorder. Stouder described last year’s incidents in which houses ignited and recommended that public displays be limited to professional shows at a fairground.

Opponents, including business owners and long-time charity vendors, warned a ban would penalize law-abiding residents and nonprofit fundraisers. Slater Kellstrom and Brandon Cook argued existing state prohibitions already restrict the most dangerous projectile fireworks and said better enforcement or a public referendum would be preferable to a citywide prohibition. Cook noted fundraising revenue from fireworks sales (the Junior Ravens reportedly raised more than $20,000 last year) and urged the council to consider a referendum if it pursues a ban.

Jason Trout, regional manager for TNT Fireworks, said TNT already has signed retail contracts and local leases and warned nonprofits depend on seasonal sales. Several residents reminded the council that the number of written comments received so far (57 in favor, 17 opposed, per staff update) represents a small sample of Redmond’s roughly 38,000 residents.

Redmond Police Chief Devin Lewis summarized enforcement statistics for recent Fourth of July periods: 50 fireworks complaints during July 3–6 this year, eight fire-assist responses during that interval (police estimated that four or five of those were started by legal fireworks or improper disposal), and historical complaint totals of 64 in 2023 and 87 in 2022, with very few citations issued because officers seldom witness violations. The police presentation emphasized that high call volumes during the holiday limit officers’ ability to both respond to immediate danger and conduct surveillance-based enforcement.

Fire staff described how improper disposal and tipping of devices can cause small vegetation or structure fires. The fire chief said the department responded to multiple small vegetation incidents and two structure fires tied to fireworks this past season and recommended public education campaigns (for example, dousing spent devices and leaving water buckets at the curb) alongside any regulatory changes.

Council members did not take final action. The council said it will continue to accept written public comment and will revisit the issue in December so decisions about vendor contracts that begin developing in January can be made with broader input and more time for analysis.