County will allow fireworks sales ahead of New Year’s Eve celebrations

The Clark County Council today approved an interim ordinance to allow the sale of fireworks from noon Monday, Dec. 27 to 11 p.m. Friday, Dec. 31. The interim ordinance applies only to 2021. 

County code allows the discharge of fireworks from 6 p.m. Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. Jan. 1 each year. However, current county code prohibits the sale of consumer fireworks around the New Year’s holiday. Fireworks may only be sold from June 28 to July 4 each year. 

In late June 2021, the county adopted an emergency fireworks ban due to the dry conditions and high risk of fire at the time. As a result, retailers have effectively been prohibited from selling fireworks for the 2021 year and have requested the ability to sell fireworks during the New Year’s holiday time period. 

“I recommend all residents be aware of when and where fireworks discharge is allowed and to use fireworks safely,” said County Fire Marshal Dan Young. “While the sale of fireworks will temporarily be permitted over the course of several days, discharge is only allowed on New Year’s Eve from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. New Year’s Day. The fine for fireworks discharged outside of those times is $500.”

Use of fireworks differs between jurisdictions. Several cities within the county allow fireworks on New Year’s Eve. However, the cities of La Center and Ridgefield do not allow fireworks discharge on Dec. 31. The city of Vancouver has banned the use of fireworks at any time within city limits. 

County residents can find out if the use of fireworks is permitted at their address using an interactive map on the county’s website at clark.wa.gov/code-administration/fireworks. The website also includes safety tips for using fireworks and fireworks that are illegal to use in Clark County. 

“I urge anyone wishing to use fireworks on New Year’s Eve to purchase them locally,” said Young. “Local retailers are inspected by the Clark County Fire Marshal’s Office while fireworks purchased outside the county may not be legal locally.”

In Camas-Washougal, fireworks sales are allowed from noon to 11 p.m. Dec. 29-31, and fireworks are allowed to be discharged from 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 (New Years Eve) through 1 a.m. Jan. 1. 

Only “safe and sane” fireworks are allowed to be sold and discharged in the city of Washougal. 

The use of illegal fireworks or the discharge of fireworks outside the times approved in both cities can result in a $250 fine and possible seizure of fireworks. 

For more information about buying and using fireworks in the city of Camas, visit cityofcamas.us/fire-ems/page/fireworks-safety.