Alliance adopts ordinance and resolution to allow limits on fireworks and bans sale and discharge through 2026

The Alliance City Council on June 16 adopted Ordinance No. 3020, which amends city code to allow the Council or, in some circumstances, the City Manager (after consulting the Fire Chief) to limit or restrict the sale and discharge of consumer fireworks. Following discussion and public comment, the Council then approved Resolution No. 26-53 to ban the sale and discharge of consumer fireworks within the city and its extraterritorial zoning jurisdiction through Dec. 31, 2026.

City staff reported elevated fire indexes and Red Flag conditions and said community feedback frequently urged cancellation: "The message we heard most often was, 'Let's bypass fireworks this year.'" Fire Chief Shoemaker recommended that the Council ban the discharge of consumer fireworks given current conditions and his ability to more tightly control permitted public displays. Several residents, including Wendy Henderson, told the Council a ban would protect firefighters and agricultural property.

Culture and Leisure staff and Public Works identified potential mitigation steps (water trucks at the launch area), while Will Suit, who said he is the individual in charge of the proposed fireworks display, explained his State Fire Marshal permit was approved but the actual display would depend on weather and Red Flag warnings. On a motion by Councilman Turman, seconded by Councilman Yates, the Council approved Resolution No. 26-53 banning sale and discharge of consumer fireworks; the vote was unanimous.