M-F considers fireworks ordinance change

By Terry Murry on Monday, June 13th, 2022 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories

MILTON-FREEWATER – The Milton-Freewater City Council meets tonight (Monday) at 7 p.m. and will consider adding a section to the city code allowing the fire chief and city manager to ban fireworks under certain circumstances.

Fireworks are allowed within city limits, such as private yards, sidewalks and in residential streets. However, City Manager Linda Hall reminds residents there are other restrictions.

“Currently, the city’s code does not allow fireworks in parks and does not allow illegal fireworks anywhere in the city limits,” she said. “Illegal fireworks are those that are the super big powerful ones that are typically used only by pyrotechnicians for commercial displays.”

A commercial public display of fireworks has not been held in the city for several years now. Hall said that has nothing to do with city actions, just the group that used to sponsor the fireworks show disbanded.

As for the resolution going before city council tonight, the proposed changes to the city code would allow the fire chief and city manager to ban fireworks if there is a burn ban or extreme fire hazard situation within city limits.

Tonight’s city council meeting is in the Albee Room of the Milton-Freewater Public Library, 8 SW Eighth Ave.