Ban on aerial fireworks in West Richland gets support from Tri-City leaders
Kennewick and its mayor are throwing their support behind an effort to ban the discharge of aerial fireworks in West Richland city limits.
The city council on Tuesday unanimously approved a draft letter signed by Mayor Gretl Crawford that backed the change, which would align West Richland with Benton County, Kennewick and Richland on the issue.
“The regional consistency offers significant advantages for our area,” the Kennewick mayor’s letter read. “Unified regulations eliminate confusion among residents who live, work, and celebrate throughout the area, making it clear that aerial fireworks are not permitted in any of our municipalities.”
Identical regulations will allow for clearer regional education campaigns, and is expected to help mitigate brush fires during dry summers, easing the burden on emergency responders during peak holiday periods.
First responders saw record-breaking call volumes during the July 4 holiday this year and responded to hundreds of fires sparked across the region. As Tri-City summers turn drier, the calls for firework bans are getting louder.
Kennewick officers during holidays often deal with residents who buy fireworks legal in West Richland and aren’t aware that they’re illegal within their city limits. Tri-City shoppers often flock to the small community of 19,000 to pick up items they can’t find at other stands across the metro area.
Kennewick City Manager Erin Erdman said Richland leaders will also be reviewing the letter and lending their support. The process was kickstarted by West Richland Mayor Brent Gerry.
West Richland appears to be jumpstarting conversations at this moment. No final decision has been made, and a draft resolution doesn’t appear to have been introduced yet. Gerry did not return a phone call or email from the Tri-City Herald with questions about the process.
Tri-Cities fireworks rules and regulations
Ground fireworks such as fountains, cones, parachutes, wheels, wire sparklers, illuminated torches, ground and hand-held sparkling devices and novelties can still be used in Kennewick limits, and sales are still permitted in municipalities during certain times under Washington state law.
Kennewick residents cannot use smoke devices, helicopters or aerial spinners, mines and shells, chasers, ground spinners, Roman candles, sky rockets and missiles, bottle rockets and combination items.
As is the case with other municipalities, Kennewick’s city manager has the authority, during times of extreme fire danger, to prohibit the discharge of all fireworks within city limits at the recommendation of the fire chief.
West Richland doesn’t restrict the type of fireworks, but it does restrict when residents can discharge them. These are the hours that are designated.
- 6 to 11 p.m. on July 2-3.
- 6 p.m. to midnight on July 4.
- 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
They also have laws currently on the books that restrict people from using fireworks in parades or crowds, from throwing them at individuals, and using them in public parks or on private property without permission.
In response to a questionnaire from the Tri-City Herald, Fred Brink, the councilman elected this week to succeed Mayor Brent Gerry, said West Richland’s ordinances “no longer fit our city’s character and our rapidly growing population.” The former fire commissioner supports reforming the city’s codes on fireworks.
“Although enjoying fireworks can be an exciting experience, they also pose increased danger to our community during dry conditions, in addition to causing potential harm to people and pets, especially individuals suffering from PTSD,” he wrote.
Washington state law allows personal fireworks but gives cities and counties the authority to set local limits.
Fireworks are banned in unincorporated Franklin County and in Prosser. Benton County reserves the right to ban them if the fire danger reaches the “extreme” level in the days leading up to Independence Day.
Richland allows personal fireworks during New Years and the Fourth of July, but prohibits certain types: Ground spinner, mine/shell type fireworks, smoke devices, roman candles, two or more fireworks combined, aerial rockets and firecrackers.
Pasco also allows personal fireworks during those two holidays: cone fountains, smoke devices, cylindrical fountains, wheels, ground spinners, novelties, dipped stick sparklers. Aerial fireworks are prohibited here, as well.
