A bill scheduled for a public hearing will provide cities with the authority to ban the use of consumer fireworks during periods of high fire risk.

Cities currently have the authority to adopt an ordinance permanently banning the sale, purchase, or possession of consumer fireworks. However, under current state law, that ban would not go into effect until one year after adoption. Additionally, cities that have not adopted such an ordinance do not have the authority to ban fireworks during periods of drought or high fire risks.

HB 1638, sponsored by Reps. Joel McEntire (R–Cathlamet) and Joe Fitzgibbon (D–Burien), will allow cities, after consulting with a local fire marshal or other fire official, to immediately prohibit the use of consumer fireworks during periods of high fire risk.

Last summer during a period of long and intense drought, some cities around the state grappled with the legality of temporarily banning fireworks in an effort to avoid a local fire. HB 1638 will provide cities with clear legal authority to temporarily ban fireworks to preserve public safety.

AWC supports this bill.

Dates to remember

HB 1638 is scheduled for a public hearing in the House Local Government Committee on Tuesday, January 11 at 10 am. The bill is scheduled for executive session in the same committee on Friday, January 14 at 10 am.