Clark County Council hears hours of divided testimony on limiting aerial fireworks; asks staff for more analysis

Chair Sue Marshall opened the April 29 Clark County Council meeting with public comment focused almost entirely on whether to restrict aerial fireworks. Residents, vendors and nonprofit representatives offered sharply divided testimony about safety risks, enforcement limits and the economic role of fireworks tents in funding local programs.

The council heard dozens of speakers during an extended public‑comment period. Barbara Seismore, who said she has lived in Clark County for nearly 25 years, pointed to drought and wildfire risk and urged the council to restrict private fireworks, saying, "This seems like a nobrainer." Patrick Lockach, a Ridgefield resident and member of the county veterans advisory board, said county incident records showed about 65 fireworks incidents since 2012 and argued the county should prioritize public education and centralized professional displays over broad prohibitions.

Speakers who run or benefit from fireworks sales described large local fundraising impacts. Jeffrey Fish, representing the Hazdale Lions Club, said his organization’s permit has supported services including eye care and scholarships for decades and warned that restricting aerials would cut a major revenue stream. Multiple coaches and youth‑program leaders, including Megan Tornabby of Pacific Youth Cheerleading, told the council that tent revenues fund scholarships, team fees and a gym that serves hundreds of athletes.

Vendors and longtime operators pressed the council to favor enforcement and education over a ban, citing safety campaigns such as a county 'bucket brigade' that distributed free buckets to customers. Vendors and permit holders also reported few major incidents during decades of sales at organized stands.

Opponents emphasized neighborhood harm, property damage and trauma. Julie Olsen described a past house fire she attributes to fireworks and said the current policy leaves neighbors to pick up debris and deal with recurring noise. Several callers and written commenters asked the council to consider the effects on veterans with PTSD and on pets and wildlife.

State Sen. Benton told the council that a 'safe‑and‑sane' policy would amount to an effective ban for many residents and warned of the fiscal consequences to nonprofits. "Safe and sane is not a ban. It is a ban," he said during his remarks.

Councilors acknowledged the conflicting testimony and enforcement limits. Several members, including Counsels Belcott and Young, noted that the Clark County Sheriff’s Office generally cannot enforce fireworks statutes unless officers personally witness discharges, making post‑event enforcement difficult. Chair Marshall and others cited the county’s drought conditions and growing wildfire risk while also recognizing the funding role fireworks provide to local nonprofits and veterans groups.

Rather than vote on an ordinance at the April 29 meeting, the council directed staff to return with more information. Counselors requested data on incident frequency and trends, outcomes from recent fire‑marshal briefings and an analysis of how 'safe‑and‑sane' rules would be implemented across different parts of the county (urban vs. rural), as well as consideration of enforcement capacity and options for targeted education campaigns.

The council indicated any future formal change would follow the county’s normal public‑hearing process. Chair Marshall said staff would compile requested information and return with options; no ordinance or ban was enacted at the meeting.

The council adjourned after handling the fireworks discussion and other agenda items.