DEER PARK, Wash. — Residents in Deer Park are defending their right to buy and set off fireworks this summer, even as local firefighters urge precautions ahead of what is expected to be a historically dry season in the Inland Northwest.
For several years, Spokane County Fire District 4 has written letters to the Deer Park City Council asking for a ban on the sale and discharge of fireworks. This year, firefighters say the stakes are higher than ever.
“This year is more so concerning. You know, we’re going into a lot of people saying about our third year of a drought, low snowpack, and it’s completely dry,” said David LaChapelle of Spokane County Fire District 4.
Firefighters are also warning that dangerous conditions stretch their resources thin. “In dry conditions, we increase our staffing to our stations. However, what is difficult is once a call comes out, whether it’s a medical or a fire, it starts to tax the resources,” LaChapelle said.
To reduce risk, firefighters asked city leaders to follow the lead of the Colville Indian Reservation, which recently enacted its own fireworks ban within its boundaries.
When the city council added the fireworks ban to its June 6 agenda, dozens of community members showed up to voice their opposition. Some argued the ban would strip residents of their rights, while others said it would eliminate a cherished tradition.
“It’s just building memories with your family, setting off the fireworks and just watching them. But I think it is really important to be careful with how you’re setting them off and where,” said Shanon Matthews, a Deer Park resident.
Currently, the sale of fireworks in Deer Park is limited to July 3 and July 4. For the city council to act before this summer, members would need to file an emergency resolution — a standard ordinance would take several months to a year to take effect.
LaChapelle noted other communities have taken that route. “I know that other areas have done just that. It hasn’t been an all-out ban going forward. It’s been more of an emergency ban for this year because of the conditions,” he said.
Since the June 6 meeting, there has been no further discussion of a fireworks ban, and council members say a ban is unlikely this year.
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