Fireworks ban proposed in unincorporated King County

King County Councilmember Joe McDermott wants fireworks banned in unincorporated King County.

Most parts of King County already ban fireworks, though some areas allow then only on the fourth of July. Normandy Park is the one jurisdiction in King County that also allows fireworks on July 3 from 6 to 11 p.m. Fireworks have been banned in Seattle since 1993.

State law allows sales as early as noon on July 28 and continuing through July 5. The discharge period continues through 11 p.m. Sales also are allowed beginning at noon on December 27 and discharge can continue until 1 a.m. on New Year’s Day. Follow this link to see the specifics.

Last July, a stage-one burn ban was declared in unincorporated King County, where fireworks were normally allowed on July 4, December 1 and January 1.

One of those areas is White Center, where a 70-year-old man died in a house fire.

“The tragic death last 4th of July in White Center demonstrates the true danger to public health posed by fireworks,” McDermott said in a statement. “While I understand that fireworks are a time-honored tradition in our country, we must recognize that unincorporated King County remains as one of the last jurisdictions in our region where you can legally purchase and discharge fireworks without a permit. We must do everything we can to protect our residents from further human tragedies, as well protect our natural areas from the increased risk of wildfire due to climate change.”

McDermott’s legislation would not ban permitted fireworks displays nor fireworks on tribal trust lands. If approved, state law requires a year waiting period before the ban could take effect. The legislation, which is supported by King County Sheriff Mitzi Johanknecht and King County Fire Marshal Chris Ricketts, is expected to be referred to committee later this month.

© 2020 Cox Media Group