The Earth will have once again orbited the sun by midnight Monday, and county residents wishing to mark the occasion with fireworks can avoid an unpleasant exchange with a fire marshal, or a steep ticket, with a refresher on local fireworks regulations.
Rules for fireworks for New Year’s Eve differ slightly from July 4 fireworks usage in the county and other cities but are also more straightforward.
From 6 p.m. Monday to 1 a.m. Tuesday, fireworks use is allowed in unincorporated Clark County, Amboy, Battle Ground, Camas, Washougal, Woodland and Yacolt.
New Year’s Eve fireworks are prohibited in La Center and Ridgefield. Fireworks are prohibited in Vancouver year-round, and violators can be fined $500 or more. County fines for illegal possession and use of fireworks can be up to $1,000 or result in 90 days in jail.
This will be the first year that New Year’s Eve fireworks are outlawed in Ridgefield. The city council voted to restrict fireworks usage for the holiday over the summer. Violators risk a $100 fine for a first offense.
Other area’s fireworks rules will also see some changes starting in 2019, but those changes will apply for Independence Day fireworks.
Clark County will limit fireworks in all unincorporated areas to 9 a.m. to midnight July 4, and will also remove its two-tier geographic limits, where rules varied north and south of 219th St.
Ridgefield will also limit fireworks use to 9 a.m. until midnight July 4, with sales allowed from July 1 through 4. Camas will allow fireworks use from 9 a.m. to midnight only on July 4. Battle Ground will limit fireworks discharge to July 3 and 4.
Nonprofit organizations in Battle Ground looking to get a head start on selling fireworks next year must enter the city’s fireworks stand lottery by Jan. 31.
Battle Ground allows service clubs or religious or charitable organizations, recognized by the state as a nonprofit and that operate in the city, to sell fireworks for fundraising. City regulations will limit the number of stand permits to five for 2019, and the city will hold a lottery to choose among eligible applicants March 15. Applications and more information are available at the city’s website, www.cityofbg.org, by contacting the Community Development office at 360-342-5047 or by emailing the city fire marshal at chris.drone@cityofbg.org.
