Council keeps city fireworks ban, rejects limited exemption for non‑aerial devices

Council debated a proposed change to the municipal fireworks ordinance that would have allowed non-aerial fireworks such as sparklers and ground-based pyrotechnics except during drought conditions. Fire marshal Woods and Fire Chief Kerwood told the council that sparklers and similar devices cause hundreds of emergency-room visits and that fireworks have started thousands of fires statewide; they warned that allowing even non-aerial devices would increase injuries and house-fire risk.

Police Chief Jeff Yarbrough cautioned that responding to the volume of fireworks calls would strain patrol and dispatch and said, in his professional opinion, he did not favor the ordinance change. "As the police chief ... I do not, from my professional opinion, favor this ordinance," he told council. Speakers from the public also described neighborhood scenes where fireworks were fired rapidly and unpredictably.

Councilmembers who opposed lifting the ban cited public safety, veteran and animal trauma from loud noises, and the difficulty of enforcement; those in favor urged respect for constituents who want to celebrate and emphasized enforcement tactics and targeted citations. After debate the council voted 5-2 to deny the ordinance change, leaving the current prohibition in place. Staff and public-safety leaders said they will continue outreach and enforcement efforts around holidays.