Stricter rules on fireworks possible in Lake Stevens

LAKE STEVENS — This summer, the rockets’ red glare could be limited to commercial fireworks shows only.

Because of ongoing complaints, the city is considering cutting the number of days fireworks are allowed or even banning them altogether.

Many people complain that the fireworks are set off for too many days, said Robert Marshall, fire prevention specialist for Lake Stevens Fire District 8.

Currently, fireworks may be discharged for eight days around the Fourth of July — from June 28 through July 5 — and for seven hours from 6 p.m. New Year’s Eve to 1 a.m. New Year’s Day.

The city staff is recommending allowing fireworks to be used only from 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 and leaving the New Year’s hours unchanged.

A hearing has been scheduled for tonight to give residents another chance to air their views on the subject. An open house and public hearing were held in November, and the city has received other calls and e-mails.

The City Council isn’t expected to make a final decision on Monday but could do so in the next few weeks, city administrator Jan Berg said.

Comments have run the gamut, from favoring an outright ban to leaving the days and times as they are. A majority have favored limiting discharge hours to the staff recommendation of holidays only, but it’s a slim majority, Berg said.

“They have passionate feelings on both sides,” she said.

Most Snohomish County cities either limit fireworks to holidays or ban them altogether. In unincorporated Snohomish County, setting off fireworks is allowed from 9 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. July 4 only.

In the past, Lake Stevens had a more restrictive policy than Snohomish County’s, said Lake Stevens Police Cmdr. Dan Lorentzen, who is also a commissioner with Fire District 8. The city changed its laws to reflect the county laws, and then the county made its laws more restrictive.

Complaints often come from people who don’t know that fireworks are allowed for as many days as they are, Police Chief Randy Celori said. Others complain about use of illegal fireworks, such as bottle rockets, as opposed to legal fireworks such as fountains and sparklers, Marshall said.

The fire district supports some type of reduction from the current days and times, he said. The department responded to two or three brush fires last summer that were attributed to fireworks, Marshall said. One of those fires threatened an outbuilding.

Reporter Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439 or sheets@heraldnet.com.

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