Measure would be implemented only under emergency, due to dry weather conditions
While fireworks will still be sold in Medical Lake, there is the possibility their discharge on July 4 could be banned in an emergency.
At its May 5 meeting, the Medical Lake City Council voiced their concerns about fireworks and discussed a possible emergency ban on lighting them in city limits.
Medical Lake, along with Airway Heights, currently allows fireworks to be set off in the city. The city has discussed banning fireworks within city limits, in 2008 and in 2013. Some residents were in favor of the ban because of the noise and mess that comes from lighting them, while others see them as an instrumental part of celebrating Independence Day.
However, the council's concerns relate to the recent dry weather and potential wildfires.
"If we did an emergency ban it would be because it's a safety issue with the weather," City Administrator Doug Ross said. "This isn't some sort of punishment or anything of that nature. We would do this because of the threat of wildfires."
Ross said the city is waiting to see if the Department of Natural Resources or the National Weather Service (NWS) issues a "Red Flag Warning." According to the NWS website, a Red Flag Warning - also known as Fire Weather Warnings - is issued to alert firefighting and land management agencies about the possible onset of critical weather and fuel moisture conditions that could lead to rapid or dramatic increases in wildfire activity.
"We're also waiting to see if the governor or the fire marshal will issue an emergency ban," Ross said.
During the meeting, Medical Lake Assistant Fire Chief Corey Stevens said he spoke with the Department of Emergency Management and confirmed a the city can shutdown fireworks going off in the city if the fire department receives a Red Flag Warning.
Stevens added that the department spoke with the Department of Natural Resources and Colville National Forest regarding the possibility of a burn ban in the beginning of summer.
"If temperatures remain consistent, we're looking at going into a burn ban as early as June," Stevens said.
The city will still allow the sale of fireworks within the city. The council approved a permit for a TNT Fireworks stand to operate in the Denny's Harvest Foods parking lot from July 1-4. The Medical Lake Lion's Club is also expected to have a fireworks stand where the old Ball and Dodd Funeral Home used to be.
The council discussed informing and educating residents if they decide to go forward with the emergency ban. They asked staff to create a brochure and send it out to residents, explaining what a Red Flag Warning is, as well as the potential dangers of lighting fireworks within the city in dry weather.
"We should do this so residents don't spend $100 on fireworks, not knowing they can't light them off in the city," Councilman Howard Jorgenson said.
Al Stover can be reached at al@cheneyfreepress.com.
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