News & Information

1/24/24

A Victory!

Thanks to support from Commissioners Bacon and St. Clair, the fireworks code was amended yesterday to ban mortars and to eliminate the use of all fireworks on July 5. Below are the changes that were adopted into code. Thank you to the many residents who spoke at the hearing and wrote to the Commissioners indicating their support. To watch the public hearing, go to 10:15:55 am in the video accessible by clicking this link. To clarify the definition of a mortar, Michael Jones, county administrator had a slide with the definition and a sample photo of what constitutes a mortar (copied below). The Commissioners expressed concern about wildfire as the basis for their decision. Enforcement of existing and new code, as well as the continued sale of mortars in Island County were discussed as challenges for the sheriff.

Due to a one year waiting period for any changes to fireworks code, we won't see these changes until January 23, 2025.

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Testimonials

Everett Herald Editorial- March 21, 2023

Monday, the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the world is now likely to miss its target of limiting global warming set for 2030; its scientists predict, climate disasters – heat waves, droughts, floods and more – will become too extreme for many regions to adapt and prepare for adequately.
“We have surpassed the point where action at any level can be dismissed as insignificant.”

Lisa Fladager- March 5, 2023

How Extreme Heat Scorched Pacific Northwest's Evergreen Trees. Very very important points here. I can't see how they [County Commissioners] would be able to defend themselves if they didn't take this into consideration and take proactive measures. By proactive measures I do mean ban fireworks island wide. After all, if there's a burn ban there absolutely ought to be a Firework ban.

Rhonda Paulson- Camano Island Preparedness Group and C.E.R.T Lead), February 2023

The safety of Camano residents, in the event of a wildfire, is in jeopardy. “We are, after all, a very long island with very narrow roads and only one way on and off. Given these circumstances, it would be impossible to evacuate all residents in a safe and timely manner, should someone's fireworks spark a wildfire. Likewise, with residents attempting to flee, it would be equally impossible for outside resources and support for our very limited fire district to get on the island. The consequences would be devastating, not just from the perspective of the destruction of personal property, but with regards to the loss of lives, as well

Marianne Edain- WEAN (Whidbey Environmental Action Network)

There are the obvious human issues of PTSD and jangled nerves, dogs under beds, and terrorized farm animals. But there is also the matter of climate change and the effect that is having on our vegetation. This year’s weather is a prime example. While the spring was cold and wet, the summer drought lasted well into October. By mid-November, in spite of “atmospheric rivers," it was possible to scuff in the soil and discover that 1” below the surface it was still bone dry. That dry soil has stressed (and continues to stress) our trees. We have reports of red cedars dying for no obvious reason. And Bigleaf maples are suffering as well. The upshot is that these trees are moisture stressed, which makes them all the more vulnerable to fire. 

And of course the operative part of “fireworks” is “fire.” We’re all aware of celebrations gone wrong and resulting in brushfires. July 4 is early in the dry season. The combination of these facts could prove disastrous. We all experienced the months-long fire in the Skykomish area, well west of the Cascade crest. Wildfire is no longer just an east-side problem.

The simple and painful fact is that Island County has become vulnerable to wildfire. For all the green we see, Island County is also very densely populated. Wildfire anywhere in the county would be devastating. A ban on recreational fireworks should be considered an ounce of prevention. 

We are aware that there are non-profit organizations which derive income from sale of fireworks. We hope those organizations are nimble enough to find alternative sources of revenue. That revenue is not sufficient to outweigh the potential loss of life and livelihood from wildfire.

Leslie Welch, December 9, 2022

I support the mission of Citizens for Safe and Sane Fireworks and call for a change to Island County Code that limits fireworks sale and use, in the unincorporated areas of Island County, to those formally permitted and sponsored by the towns, cities or County, and only on the 4th of July.

I have animals both domestic and wild on my acreage and my domestic animals must be sedated so they can be somewhat comfortable during the fireworks. Limiting the firework displays to one day per year and for a reasonable period of time ( not setting off fireworks after midnight for example ) would allow for those people interested to support permitted and sponsored displays.

I strongly urge the County Commissioners to take action to ban personal fireworks sale and use prior to May 1, 2023 so that the one year waiting period will conclude in time for the ban to be in place for the 2024 July 4th holiday.

Sunny Fitzgerald, December 6, 2022

The time has come for Island County to acknowledge that personal fireworks are taking too much of a toll on the environment, animals and vulnerable humans.  I recognize that many families have traditions and look forward to the event, but sadly it has become so overwhelming and the impact so traumatizing we will need to find other ways to celebrate the holiday.  I want Island County to follow the example of other Washington state counties to ban personal fireworks.

Susan Lindsey Cohen, December 5, 2022

Just visit Goss Lake where, for days around July 4^th, what used to be one private firework display has now turned into 5, 7 or more. Competing percussive bombs go off for 3 or 4 days disturbing, frightening and endangering humans, pets and wildlife (specifically protected eagle nests).The smoke created is unhealthful for me as an asthmatic. At such close range, it is unbearable for many humans and pets. So much so that my family with our pets, and other families, are forced to leave Whidbey Island for 3 or 4 days over July 4^th to escape the traumatizing effects of the “celebrations”. July 4^th can still be an enjoyable celebration for all. Let’s devise ways to celebrate as a community without all the percussive bombing, debris, ash, smoke, spent shells and other litter and detritus created by these excessive private fireworks and strewn about the entirety of Island County.

Linda Hauser, December 3, 2022

I have had Fibromyalgia for 36 years, and stress greatly exacerbates my pain.  When I have to endure 4 days of what sounds like bombs going off day and night, my stress and pain levels go through the roof.  When I see the animals that live with me running, hiding and shaking because of their fear of the explosions, it adds to my stress.  I see deer running back and forth in our yard, totally panicked, because of the horrible noise, it added to my stress.  There is nothing beautiful or enjoyable to me in what the people in my neighborhood choose to buy and explode for four days every year.  I live by Goss Lake, and enjoy its beauty and the marine life that live in and around it.  The chemically laden debris that ends up in the lake after fireworks are killing unknown marine life living therein and polluting the water for humans who swim in it as well.

Diane and Greg Stone, November 28, 2022

Most people we talk with dread the season of fireworks: the possible danger and fright to babies, children, veterans, sick people, domestic animals (including our old cat who was not normal for several weeks), and wild animals. I hear of birds, particularly eagles, abandoning nests and some chicks jumping in fright from their nests. For many of us, fireworks mean ongoing anxiety, disruption of routine life, and sleeplessness. Some people in our area use fireworks that almost certainly are illegal—unimaginable military-like booms that rattle windows. Yet how can we prove they’re illegal? The Sheriff’s Office is overburdened, and officers must hear the noise personally in order to issue a citation. 

Craig Cyr, Langley Council Member, November 23, 2022

I strongly support a fireworks ban in all of Island County. Langley implemented a fireworks ban in 2020 which came into effect in 2021. The ban on fireworks makes a huge difference in the quality of life in Langley. Despite predictions to the contrary, Langley is much quieter around the holidays with no disruptive concussive explosions. Our pets are happier, as are our citizens. And we are all safer. Now is the time for Island County Commissioners to ban fireworks island wide.

Billie and Richard Draves, November 23, 2022

We live on Goss Lake where fireworks displays have expanded over the last several years into practically a competition around the lake for the biggest and loudest displays.  Fireworks are going off for days prior to and after the Fourth of July.  We are rattled and our dog Carlos shakes in fear from the percussive explosions that seem to only increase in their intensity and randomness throughout the holiday.  Our last resort is to actually leave the island during the holiday. It seems to us that escaping our island home runs counter to the idea of celebrating a national holiday.  

A growing number of municipalities have enacted sensible limitations to fireworks displays that provide opportunity to enjoy fireworks in a much more sensible way, limiting risk and harm to our environment, our community services and service people, and to our companion animals.