Medical Lake announces July 4 regulations

Medical Lake is one of three Spokane County municipalities that still allow private discharge of fireworks on Independence Day, and Medical Lake Fire Department personnel have been busy distributing fliers by hand and on social media as a reminder to residents of city ordinances and state fireworks law in advance of the holiday.

Here’s a summary of city and state regulations relating to fireworks.

By city ordinance, the discharge of fireworks is legal only on July 4 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.

City ordinance makes it illegal to discharge fireworks from city parks or other city property, including buildings and parking lots.

Those discharging fireworks outside of the allowable hours, or from city property, are subject to a misdemeanor.

It is a gross misdemeanor to discharge any fireworks recklessly and in such a way as to put others at risk of injury or death, or at risk of causing property damage.

All fireworks debris left in the public rights of way must be cleaned up and properly disposed of. Those leaving debris on city streets are subject to littering fines.

Lee Hughes can be reached at lee@cheneyfreepress.com.