TD Council extinguishes fuse on firework ban... for now; Vendors beware

Back in July 2021 - Lighthouse’s Jonny Dela Garza was staffing the tent. He said the firework sales are a fundraiser to earn money to install a new sidewalk at the Lighthouse Church, 2616 West 10th St. A city ban on fireworks did not stop their sale at stands such as these. But some vendors say the bans diminish sales. That’s a very real possibility again this summer as the area is already into a moderate drought.

By Tom Peterson

The Dalles, Ore., March 12, 2024 — A majority of The Dalles City Council appears to be in favor of allowing the sale of fireworks this coming summer but will also be watching for dry and hot conditions as the Fourth of July nears, which could bring a ban on their use.

At this time, nothing has changed regarding firework regulations. However, the discussion did give fair warning to those selling fireworks that a ban is possible, which can diminish those sales.

The discussion on Monday centered around the ban of fireworks, firework sales and even commercial firework shows, such as the one funded by the city and the Fort Dalles Fourth volunteer committee.

Councilors spent little time on commercial shows except to recognize the professionalism and safety of Western Display Fireworks, which contracts to provide the Fort Dalles Fourth display from a barge in the center of the Columbia River in The Dalles.

While councilors made no formal decision at their regular meeting on Monday, March 11, discussion on the topic was deep as nonprofit and private vendors are already asking for permits for fireworks sales this season.

TNT Fireworks Area Manager Jason Simpson walks back to his seat after addressing the council.

“I implore you to keep your current laws which give you the right to shut down the use of fireworks,” said TNT Fireworks Area Manager Jason Simpson, of Eugene. “Safe and sane fireworks are glorified sparklers… they give law-abiding citizens a good option.”

It was also pointed out by Mike Courtney that illegal aerial fireworks were the main safety issue on the Fourth of July, and laws already exist to punish those who set them off in Oregon.

“There is not enough police to cover the whole town,” he said pointing to the cause behind a lack of enforcement.

Councilor Rod Runyon also pointed this aspect out as well, hinting that the discussion was a bit off target of the real problem in our area.

In essence, councilors said they wanted to protect the safety of the community from fire. At the same time, they don’t want to pull the rug out from underneath people looking to make a profit from firework’s sales.

Mid-Columbia Fire and Rescue’s (MCFR) Jay Wood said he had two permits for firework vendors on his desk now and the State Fire Marshall requires permits to be in by April Fool’s Day.

Bans on private use of fireworks in The Dalles, which have occurred for the past three years, can have a depressing effect on fireworks sales, according to vendors.

A decision to ban on use of fireworks now would give those vendors advanced warning about prospects in fireworks sales.

MCFR Chief Bob Palmer

However, councilors asked staff to bring back a policy that creates an ad-hoc committee that decides whether an all-out fireworks ban for private citizens is necessary when weather and drought conditions point to that choice.

That leaves fireworks vendors in the position of knowing there could be a ban and the potential risk to their sales.

MCFR Chief Bob Palmer said a ban did fit with the department’s mission but also noted, “fireworks are fun to watch and fun to set off” in a controlled and safe environment.

A total of 65 fires in Oregon were traced back to fireworks in 2022, Woods said, but he did not have any specific data for his district’s 110 square mile area of coverage including The Dalles.

Incidents of fire and injury do go down with firework bans, Palmer said speaking generally during the meeting.

Councilor Dan Richardson

Ultimately, Palmer said that the current law provided a great opportunity to educate the public on the dangers of fireworks as well as open burning when conditions merited the discussion.

TNT’s Simpson said he appreciated the council’s apparent decision to retain the current law.

“Anything is better than an all-out ban,” he said.

And firework vendors have fair warning.

“People have to understand that investment into inventory of fireworks for sales comes with a risk,” said Councilor Dan Richardson.

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