Port Orchard considers ban on personal fireworks starting in 2023

Jessie Darland, Kitsap Sun
·2 min read
FILE — Merchandise is for sale at the TNT Fireworks tent in Bremerton in June 2020. The Port Orchard City Council is exploring banning the use of personal fireworks in the city.
FILE — Merchandise is for sale at the TNT Fireworks tent in Bremerton in June 2020. The Port Orchard City Council is exploring banning the use of personal fireworks in the city.

Port Orchard could be the second city in Kitsap County to place a ban on personal fireworks.

Before any action is taken, there will be a few public hearings on the issue. The ban would need to be passed by the Port Orchard City Council before July 4 this year to go into effect in 2023, said Port Orchard Mayor Rob Putaansuu. Bainbridge is the only other jurisdiction in Kitsap with a ban on personal fireworks.

Public fireworks displays would still be allowed under the proposed new ordinance.

The current city code governing personal fireworks allows them from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4. The code allows the mayor to prohibit the discharge of fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger. The city council may adopt a temporary ban on the sale of fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger.

At the city council meeting Tuesday, council members reiterated the need for public outreach. Councilwoman Cindy Lucarelli said it’s going to be important to spread the word, with many people likely to be displeased about not being able to celebrate with their own fireworks.

The city is in the process of getting a public information consultant on contract to do outreach and issue press releases as the decision comes closer.

Putaansuu said the trend of hot summers has made the issue more pressing.

“We get a lot of complaints about fireworks and with global warming, it seems to be making our summers drier and fire danger higher,” Putaansuu said. “I think it’s something we need to talk about in our community.”

Effects on the environment and wildlife are some of the driving factors for banning personal fireworks.

“A lot of the debris fallout from fireworks ends up in our stormwater collection system,” said Councilman Scott Diener. “A lot of debris, including plastic, ends up in Sinclair Inlet.”

Council members said it may be a good idea to consult the city of Bainbridge Island about its ban. Personal fireworks were no longer allowed beginning in October 2020.

Putaansuu said late February is the earliest the council would take action on the ban.

This article originally appeared on Kitsap Sun: Port Orchard considers ban on personal fireworks in 2023