Fireworks discouraged this weekend

Authorities won’t enforce bans, but urge compliance

Drew Lawson, The Times | Last updated Jul 02, 2021 9:40am0

DAVENPORT—County citizens celebrating Independence Day should use an option other than fireworks and other burns this year, all eight Lincoln County fire districts have said this week. The record-high temperatures, dry climate and high winds have forced all fire districts in Lincoln County to enact burn bans that include fireworks through the 4th of July.

The Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office, Board of Commissioners and Reardan Police Department have said they won’t enforce burn bans with criminal punishments because an ordinance won’t be legally passed in time to allow for firework enforcement.

Lincoln County would have to approve a fireworks ban a year in advance for any legal consequences to set in, according to RCW 70.77.250, which requires any fireworks legislation adopted that is more restrictive than state law be adopted more than a year in advance.

Only Gov. Jay Inslee has the authority to declare a state of emergency and temporarily ban fireworks statewide. The governor’s office has thus far indicated no such proclamation will be made.

However, local authorities have urged county citizens to adhere to the rules set forth by the fire districts.

“If you have fireworks, please save them for New Year’s,” commissioner Rob Coffman said. “We don’t need any fires. It’s so dry…we don’t want a repeat of the Whitney Road Fire.”

Davenport was the first municipality to declare a fireworks ban. Fire District No. 5, which the city resides in, implemented a burn ban early last week. Fireworks on the 4th of July were officially banned Monday, June 28.

"After much discussion and speaking with all stakeholders, the city of Davenport has decided to not allow fireworks in city limits this year due to the extreme heat and dry conditions," mayor Brad Sweet wrote on Facebook. "We want everyone to be safe this season and have a Happy 4th."

Many other fire districts followed suit later that day or the next day. Fire District No. 4 had enacted a burn ban last week that included a fireworks ban across the district except in the town limits of Reardan, where the fire district doesn’t have the jurisdiction to make that call. However, by early Tuesday morning June 29, the town had also banned fireworks within the limits.

“Think about us volunteers that are out in 100 degree (weather),” said Fire District No. 4 chief Ryan Rettkowski. “It’s way too hot to be firefighting, but we’ll do what we have to do.”

Fire District No. 6, which includes Harrington, waited until a commissioner’s meeting Tuesday evening before making the expected call to disallow fireworks as part of its burn ban. The district had already had a burn ban that didn’t include fireworks since last week. Fire District No. 1 (Sprague area) also enacted a burn ban that included fireworks.

Fire Districts 7-9, which cover western Lincoln County in areas like Wilbur, Creston, Grand Coulee and Almira had all banned burning and fireworks by the end of the day Monday, June 28.

Likewise, Fire District No. 3, which includes Odessa, had implemented a ban in the same time frame. That ban strongly discourages fireworks and says anyone who starts a fire due to fireworks will be held financially responsible.

Residents hoping to get a taste of fiery explosions from the Spokane Tribe will be out of luck as well. The Tribe banned all fireworks this year, which led to the cancellation of the annual fireworks display at Two Rivers Resort in the Fort Spokane area where Lake Roosevelt meets the Spokane River.

“Spokane Tribal Public Safety Department would like to remind everyone about the resolution banning the lighting of ALL FIREWORKS on the Spokane Indian Reservation. This resolution carries a $500 criminal citation with up to 30 days in jail,” Spokane Tribal Police wrote on Facebook. “This excessive heat will increase the potential for wildfires. Let’s all do our part to keep our community members safe during this time.”