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Fire chief: state drought restrictions likely to prevent local fireworks permits
Summary
Edison’s fire chief told the council that a state prohibition on bonfires and fireworks shows because of drought conditions means the fire marshal likely will withhold permits even if the council passes a resolution; the township will provide further guidance the following day.
The Edison Fire Chief told the township council on Oct. 23 that state rules currently prohibit bonfires and fireworks shows because of dry conditions, meaning the fire marshal would likely withhold permits even if the council passed a local resolution to permit fireworks.
"From the state, it just says that all bonfires and fireworks shows are prohibited by the state," the chief said, and added that "by passing the ordinance or the resolution wouldn't matter because the fire marshal... is not gonna issue it the day of" while the state restriction remains in effect. The chief cautioned that if conditions change (for example, if rain reduces fire risk), the permit stance could change, but as of the meeting the chief expected to withhold permits and said the township would have more information the following day.
Council members and residents discussed passing a local resolution as a contingency, but the chief noted that state direction governs issuance of permits during droughts and that public safety would determine the ultimate outcome.
The council did not take separate formal action to override the state direction; the chief advised the public and the council that permits would likely be withheld while the ban remains in effect.
