News Camas citizens will have the opportunity to comment on proposed new fireworks regulations that would trim Fourth of July celebrations down to just one day.
On Tuesday, Sept. 8, a public hearing will be held on an ordinance that if approved would revise the dates and times for fireworks sales and discharge, and give the mayor the power to prohibit fireworks during times of extreme fire danger.
Under the new guidelines, Independence Day holiday fireworks could be purchased and sold July 2 and 3, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight, and July 5 from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Fireworks could only be discharged on July 4, from 9 a.m. to midnight.
For the New Year’s Day holiday, fireworks could be sold Dec. 29-31, from noon to 11 p.m., and discharged between 6 p.m. Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. Jan. 1.
Currently, within city limits fireworks can be discharged July 1 through July 4. They can be sold July 1 through July 5.
Two of the jurisdictions immediately surrounding Camas — Washougal and Vancouver — currently limit the discharge fireworks to July 4. Clark County’s unincorporated areas will follow suit beginning in 2016.
If the ordinance is approved next month, the changes would not take effect until September 2016.
