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Citizens in Sedro-Woolley will have to hold their fire until the Fourth of July.

Although fireworks are being sold within city limits, a Sedro-Woolley city ordinance states fireworks can only be lit within city limits on the Fourth of July from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

The ordinance was enacted a couple years ago as a compromise, said Mayor Mike Anderson.

“I’m all for celebrating the Fourth of July,” Anderson said. “But in a safer, more considerate way for neighbors and animals.”

People tend to shoot fireworks the week before and after the holiday, he said. That increases fire hazards, disturbs neighbors and stresses pets, Anderson said.

Individuals risk receiving a misdemeanor if caught lighting fireworks outside the designated time, Sedro-Woolley law enforcement officials said. This can include a fine up to $500, possible jail time or both.

Fireworks that are legal within the city are sold in the fireworks stands in Sedro-Woolley, said Dean Klinger, city fire chief. Booths are located near the vacant Market Place building and Food Pavilion.

Fireworks that launch into the air, such as bottle rockets, and any “home-made” explosives such as tennis ball, sparkler and cherry bombs are illegal, Klinger said.

People need to be careful with any home made or modified fireworks since the state fire marshal requested they be charged with a felony if caught, he said.

Law enforcement will confiscate any illegal fireworks and enforce the city’s fireworks ordinance, said Doug Wood, city police chief.

Nobody wants to hear fireworks for a week-and-a-half and many pets are scared of the noise, he said.

“We’re all about people enjoying themselves, but it needs to be within the law of the Fourth of July,” Wood said.

Noise complaints from neighbors are the biggest complaint around the Fourth of July, Wood said. People sometimes launch fireworks without regard to their neighbors’ property, peace of mind or their animals, Klinger said.

However, everybody will need to enjoy their neighbors’ fireworks on the Fourth of July since so many people will be lighting them that night, Wood said.

Klinger said to take several safety precautions if lighting fireworks on the Fourth of July.

Make sure small children do not use fireworks, or if they do, make sure adult supervision is provided, he said. Also, have a water bucket handy to discard used or misfired fireworks — don’t try to repair fireworks that have misfired, dispose of them in the bucket.



Around Skagit County

For the town of Concrete and areas in Skagit County, the rules for fireworks are different.

Beginning June 28, fireworks can be lit from noon until 11 p.m., said Will Reichardt, Skagit County Sheriff’s chief criminal deputy.

They can be lit from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. today and Thursday. Fireworks can be lit from 9 a.m. to 12 a.m. on the Fourth of July and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 5.

Fireworks that are illegal to light in Skagit County and Concrete are those that go up in the air using a guidance system, Reichardt said. The stick on a bottle rocket is an example of a guidance system.

Possessing fireworks off tribal lands that are only legal on a reservation is illegal, too, he said. According to state law, those include firecrackers, chasers, bottle rockets, missiles and rockets.

Reservations sell both legal and illegal fireworks, Reichardt said.

People can be charged with a misdemeanor if caught with illegal fireworks or igniting fireworks outside the designated times, he said. They could also be fined $250, taken to court and possibly face jail time.

There are areas in Skagit County where fireworks are prohibited. No fireworks are permitted in the North Cascades National Park, forest service land or Department of Natural Resources’ protected areas — which includes forest, brush, grass or grain areas.