The Vancouver City Council tonight will hold a second reading and public hearing on an ordinance that would restrict sales of fireworks in the city limits to the “safe and sane” variety sold in Portland.
If approved tonight, it wouldn’t take effect until next year. But it would mark a major change in city policy, and create a gap in the kinds of fireworks sold within the city limits and those sold in the unincorporated areas of Clark County, such as Hazel Dell and Salmon Creek.
Safe and sane fireworks have fewer aerial effects and don’t shoot high above the ground.
Fireworks have long been an issue in Clark County, which has some of the most liberal fireworks laws in the state. The huge annual sales support many charitable efforts including the annual July 4 celebration at Fort Vancouver National Site. But detractors point to the noise that frightens humans and animals, litter, fire damage and accidents.
The public hearing will be during tonight’s council meeting, which begins at 7 p.m. at City Hall, 415 W. Sixth St.
