Officials: fireworks ban in Jefferson County successful

Future bans may be necessary as summer temperatures rise

PORT TOWNSEND — Jefferson County officials said the last-minute ban on fireworks just before the Fourth of July was largely successful and discussed the possibility of a safe haven for pyrotechnics in the future.

“With the exception of Protection Island, we were the only county to have no fires called in,” said Don Svetich, deputy fire chief for Quilcene Fire Rescue. “Everyone around us got hammered.”

Fire officials and county leaders discussed the impacts of the ban Monday during the Board of County Commissioners meeting, calling the timing unfortunate but ultimately approving of the outcome.

No fires or injuries related to fireworks were reported in the county over the holiday, according to East Jefferson Fire Rescue Chief Bret Black. The Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office issued tickets to one person for violating the ban.

The county banned fireworks June 30, following a designated increase of fire danger for Western Washington by the state Department of Natural Resources.

That declaration came through about midnight on June 29, District 2 Commissioner Heidi Eisenhour said, and the following day, the country’s fire officials voted unanimously to enact an increased burn ban that included consumer fireworks.

The public was largely compliant, Sheriff Joe Nole said, but fireworks could be heard throughout the county and deputies responded to multiple calls regarding fireworks.

“There are many more people that want to light off fireworks than there are deputies,” Nole said. “Calls were going from Brinnon to Gardiner to Marrowstone (Island). Everyone was running around trying to do the best they could.”

Nole said between 4 p.m. and midnight July 4, deputies received 46 calls regarding fireworks but issued tickets to only one person.

“One person did get a couple of tickets because he wouldn’t go along with the program,” Nole said.

The Gardiner Boat Ramp and Irondale Beach Park turned out to be popular locations for setting off fireworks, Nole said, including many from people who had traveled from outside the county and said they were unaware of the ban.

Almost all the people approached by fire officials or deputies regarding the ban were compliant, said Brinnon Fire Chief Tim Manly.

“A little bit of gruff but nothing that warranted having the ticket to be issued,” Manly said.

As summers get hotter and drier, officials said future bans may be necessary and discussed ways the county could better inform the public and potentially create specific areas where fireworks are allowed.

“On the surface, I like the idea of a safe fireworks user site,” Nole said. “Somewhere over the water. It’s a lot better than heading into the woods or people’s backyards that may be forested.”

A fire engine could be assigned and dedicated to monitoring the site, Manly said.

The ban wouldn’t prevent professional fireworks shows from going forward, but there were no such shows scheduled in the county. Professional shows are permitted by the state, and the process for obtaining one can be arduous and expensive, Black said.

District 1 Commissioner Kate Dean suggested creating a less strenuous local permit for professional shows, but Black said the local fire districts didn’t have the capacity to administer such a permit due to the many requirements around storage, transportation and licensing of professional fireworks.

Officials said they still felt the ban was appropriate but noted repeatedly the late notice of the ban was problematic.

“I have no regret over the decision and actions that we collectively took,” Eisenhour said. “Now we’re trying to figure out how to make this better in the future.”

________

Reporter Peter Segall can be reached at peter.segall@peninsuladailynews.com.

More in News

Carissa Guiley of Silverdale, left, along with daughters Mia Guiley, 5, and Evelyn Guiley, 8, peer over a rocky bluff at a sea stack in Crescent Bay on Saturday near Port Crescent. The family was on an outing at Salt Creek County Recreation Area. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
What’s over the edge?

Carissa Guiley of Silverdale, left, along with daughters Mia Guiley, 5, and… Continue reading

Examiner approves Habitat project

Wetland buffer limits size to 45 units

Sequim caps municipal funding for next year’s budget

Council members share concerns about deadlines, limits

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her father, Jack Ward of Port Angeles, works on his own paddle during a craft-making session on Friday at the Elwha Klallam Heritage Center in Port Angeles. The paddles are among the thousands of gifts being created for participants in the 2025 Tribal Canoe Journey, hosted this year by the Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe. The event begins with the landing of dozens of native canoes at the mouth of the Elwha River on July 31 and continues with five days of celebration on the Lower Elwha reservation west of Port Angeles. As many as 10,000 indigenous peoples are expected to take part. The public is invited to help with giftmaking sessions, scheduled daily from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Heritage Center.
Canoe paddle crafts

June Ward, 10, examines a wooden paddle she is decorating as her… Continue reading

Ralph Henry Keil and Ginny Grimm.
Long lost sailor to be honored at graduation

An honorary diploma will be presented to the family of… Continue reading

Singers to workshop vocal instruments at Fort Worden

One hundred and fifty singers to join together in song

Jefferson County fire danger risk level to move to high

Designation will prohibit fireworks over Fourth of July weekend

Candidate forums to be presented next week

The League of Women Voters of Clallam County and… Continue reading

Port Townsend City Council candidate forum set for next month

The League of Women Voters of Jefferson County will… Continue reading

Jefferson County to host series of community conversations

Jefferson County will conduct a series of Community Conversations… Continue reading

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the Sequim Botanical Garden at the Water Reuse Demonstration Park at Carrie Blake Park on Wednesday in Sequim. Thornton, a volunteer gardener, was taking part in a work party to maintain the beauty of the garden. (Keith Thorpe/Peninsula Daily News)
Rose display

Denise Thornton of Sequim deadheads roses on a flower display at the… Continue reading