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Riverton council approves 4-3 ban on consumer fireworks in city limits for July 4
Summary
After extensive public comment and a fire-department recommendation, the Riverton City Council adopted Resolution 1560 on July 1, 2026, prohibiting the discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits on July 4 by a 4-3 vote. The move followed concerns about drought, volunteer-maintained fields and public safety.
The Riverton City Council voted 4-3 on July 1 to adopt Resolution 1560, banning the discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits on July 4, 2026. Councilman Eric Carr moved the resolution and Councilwoman Rebecca Brothers seconded; the council approved the measure after public comment and debate.
The council took more than an hour of comments from residents, volunteer sports groups and public-safety officials before the vote. Elizabeth, president of Riverton Little League, told the council, "We simply ask that our ball fields not be the location for consumer fireworks," saying volunteers maintain the complex, league insurance would not cover a city-sponsored consumer-fireworks area, and damages would fall to the organization. Multiple softball and Little League representatives warned that a fireworks event at the Honeycutt fields would create cleanup, repair and schedule conflicts for teams preparing for all-star play.
The Riverton Fire Department recommended a ban. The fire chief said the department's "position ... is unchanging" and urged prohibition for the July 4 weekend because fuels are dry and the department's response area extends beyond city limits; he added that the softball complex could safely accommodate only a small number of families setting off fireworks, not a larger public event. The clerk read the resolution title as modifying provisions of Resolution 1559 to restrict fireworks on 07/04/2026 pursuant to Riverton Municipal Code section 8.04010.
Council debate reflected competing concerns. Supporters of the ban pointed to drought conditions, recent river-bottom fires and stretched emergency resources. Opponents warned that a city ban could push people to neighboring towns, possibly increasing highway travel and related risks; one resident cited statistics on alcohol-related crashes during July 4 weekends and urged the council to consider enforcement and unintended consequences. Councilmembers also discussed practical enforcement limits and alternatives for future celebrations, including drone light shows.
The resolution prohibits consumer fireworks within the corporate limits of Riverton on July 4, 2026; the meeting transcript notes the ordinance carries a misdemeanor penalty and a $750 fine for violations. After the vote the mayor declared the resolution passed and the meeting adjourned at 7:23 p.m.
The council and members of the public left open the possibility of discussing location-specific events, alternatives for future years and enforcement strategies at later meetings. The clerk and staff indicated the ordinance default permits fireworks only by resolution for specified days unless changed by the council.
(Reporting based solely on the July 1, 2026 Riverton City Council special meeting transcript.)
