Tents and booths are under construction around Clark County as businesses and fundraising groups get ready for the start of fireworks sales, which begin noon Thursday.
To review, Fourth of July season fireworks rules in unincorporated areas, outside of any city limits, differ based on geography:
• North of Northeast 219th Street (also state Highway 502): fireworks use is permitted from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Friday to July 3, then 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.
• South of Northeast 219th Street: fireworks are allowed only on July 4, from 9 a.m. to midnight.
City policies vary. The sale and use of fireworks are banned within Vancouver city limits. Violators can be fined $500 or more.
• Amboy, Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Woodland and Yacolt: fireworks are allowed from noon to 11 p.m. Thursday, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. from Friday to July 3, then 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.
Battle Ground, Ridgefield, Woodland and Yacolt’s local rules also allow fireworks to be discharged July 5.
• Battle Ground and Woodland: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Ridgefield and Yacolt: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
• La Center and Washougal: In La Center, fireworks use is allowed from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Friday to July 3, then 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 4. In Washougal, fireworks are OK from 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.
However, many Independence Day fireworks rules will change starting next year.
Clark County will limit fireworks use in all unincorporated areas to 9 a.m. to midnight July 4. The policy also eliminates the county’s two-tiered fireworks law, whereby people in areas north of 219th Street were allowed to shoot off fireworks a week before the holiday.
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.
