The county has met the established criteria outlined in the Clark County Code, which can result in extreme fire danger
VANCOUVER – Clark County has banned the sale and use of fireworks in the unincorporated area beginning today — Tue., June 29 — through midnight July 4 when use of fireworks would normally end.
The county is implementing the ban pursuant to Clark County Code which provides that the Clark County council chair, after consulting with the fire marshal, may prohibit the discharge and sale of all fireworks during periods of extreme fire danger. The county has met the established criteria outlined in the Clark County Code, which can result in extreme fire danger.
More specifically, Washington State Department of Natural Resources reported data on the following metrics outlined in the Clark County Code:
- The burning index is extreme as determined for the entire county; and
- The fuel moisture content of the ten (10) hour fuels is below eight (8) anywhere in the county; and
- The energy release component is in the ninetieth percentile.
“We’ve had an unusually dry spring for the Pacific Northwest,” said Clark County Fire Marshal Dan Young. “That coupled with a record-breaking heat wave led to conditions that increase our fire danger risk in Clark County.”
“We recognize that this decision will cause some hardship to some residents’ celebration plans as well as businesses and non-profit organizations that sell fireworks,” said County Council Chair Eileen Quiring O’Brien. “We empathize with all who are affected, but we must follow county codes. They are in place to protect the welfare and safety of Clark County residents.”
Other local jurisdictions also have banned fireworks due to fire danger including the cities of Battleground, Ridgefield, La Center, Camas and Washougal. Vancouver has an existing ban on fireworks within its city limits.
The ban for the Fourth of July holiday does not affect the discharge of fireworks on Dec. 31 from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. as allowed in county code.
Information provided by Clark Co. WA Communications.
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