Kennewick lifts 31-year ban on personal fireworks. But not for this July 4

Kennewick will end a 31-year ban on July 4 fireworks, but not until next year.

The last Independence Day that personal fireworks were legal in the city was 1991, the year that fireworks were believed to have caused $608,000 damage to the Knolls apartment complex in Kennewick, prompting the ban.

Although the Kennewick City Council voted to lift the ban on all fireworks at its Tuesday night meeting, a Washington state law prohibits the new ordinance from taking effect for one year — just before July 4, 2023.

This July 4 all fireworks will continue to be banned in Kennewick, which has had the strictest fireworks regulations in the Tri-Cities.

The new Kennewick regulations will copy those of Richland, which allows some fireworks, but not all of those allowed under Washington state law.

People who set off illegal fireworks could face a fine of $250.

Fireworks that will continue to be prohibited in Kennewick include skyrockets, aerial and ground spinners, firecrackers, Roman candles, firecrackers and toy smoke devises.

Those that will be allowed starting next summer include cylindrical and cone fountains, parachutes, wheels, sparklers and illuminated torches.

Fireworks ‘out of control’

The discussion on fireworks was started by Fire Chief Chad Michael, who was concerned the city ban has been ignored and that personal fireworks have gotten “out of control.”

Last July 4 his department responded to a fourplex fire quickly enough to put it out before the building was lost. But even as the blaze was being fought people were setting off illegal fireworks nearby, he said.

Among the other fires that his agency responded to that night was one caused by a bottle rocket that landed in arborvitae trees. The fire spread to a shop, causing significant damage.

He proposed a $500 civil infraction for illegal fireworks, saying that a steep civil fine could serve as a deterrent and would be easier to levy than the current criminal misdemeanor punishment that requires officials to see fireworks lighted to bring a charge.

Discretion could be used in issuing fines. For example, grandparents who give a sparkler to a 5-year-old would not be the target, he said.

Celebrating July 4

But several Kennewick Council members said at a previous council workshop and meeting that fireworks are an integral part of traditional celebrations of the nation’s independence.

City residents should be able to celebrate July 4 by setting off limited fireworks at family celebrations and block parties, they said, and asked city staff for a proposal to lift the fireworks ban.

Allowing ground level fireworks to be set off could “scratch the itch” for people who want to set something off in their driveways, said Councilman Loren Anderson, at an earlier council workshop.

Mayor Bill McKay said legalizing some fireworks might deter people who now go to tribal reservations or order online to obtain aerial fireworks that have been primarily responsible for fires in recent years.

This July 4, with all fireworks still illegal, Kennewick police and firefighters plan to team up.

Two or three police officers will be riding with firefighters that night to contact people setting off fireworks and remind them to put them away.

Last year the Kennewick Fire Department fielded 243 complaints of illegal fireworks from July 3-5.

Fireworks deaths

“At the end of the day, our intent is to prevent injuries and keep people safe from fires,” the Kennewick fire chief told the Tri-City Herald.

There have been three deaths in the Tri-Cities area attributed to fireworks over about the last 35 years.

In the late 1980s, a baby was killed after fireworks set an apartment on fire.

In 1992, a Kennewick laborer who had been drinking ignited a brush fire on Jump Off Joe Butte that resulted in the death of a Benton County volunteer firefighter. His firetruck careened down a steep hillside, overturned and crushed him.

In 2012, a 61-year-old Richland man died after the professional display-level fireworks exploded as he was lighting them at his home for family and friends.

River of Fire fireworks show

People will be encouraged to attend the River of Fire fireworks show at Columbia Park rather than setting off personal fireworks.

This year parking, along with admission, will be free to remove barriers to attendance.

Plans call for parking to open at noon with a fireworks display from a barge in the river at 10 p.m. In recent years a barge has not been available to set the fireworks off over the river.

Entertainment options, many of which will start at 2 p.m., are being expanded. A kids zone, a food truck alley, a beer garden and live entertainment are planned.

All five members of the council at the Tuesday night meeting approved the new fireworks ordinance.

They were Brad Beauchamp, Chuck Torelli, Jim Millbauer, Anderson and McKay. Gretel Crawford and John Trumbo had approved absences.