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Last Chance for Fireworks in Annexation Area

By on June 28, 2010 in Archived, Featured Slideshow, Headlines, Opinion

June 2011 annexation by the City of Kirkland means one thing to fireworks fans this Fourth of July:

Light ‘em if you’ve got ‘em

UPDATED

The City is receiving inquiries about the use, sale and discharge of fireworks in the annexation area. As you may know, the annexation does not take effect until June 1, 2011. King County regulations are in effect until then. The County’s fireworks regulations are:

Fireworks may be discharged only on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Fireworks sales are legal beginning at noon on June 28 until 11 p.m. and then daily between the hours of 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. through July 4. No sales can occur after July 4.
To purchase fireworks you must be at least 16 years of age with picture identification.
A fireworks permit is required for a temporary stand/tent.
The City of Kirkland prohibits the sale, possession and discharge of fireworks. According to state law, Kirkland’s ban would not take effect until a year after annexation occurs. However, King County adopted an ordinance banning fireworks in the Annexation Area as of June 28, 2011. You can view the ordinance in Legisearch on the Council web site: http://mkcclegisearch.kingcounty.gov/custom/king/legislation.htm, search 2010-0350.

This Independence Day will likely go out with a bang in Kirkland’s annexation area as it will be the last one in which personal use of fireworks will be legal. The City of Kirkland’s a city-wide ban on the use of fireworks will be in effect in next year, leaving this Fourth of July the last chance for the 33,000 residents of the annexation area to legally use fireworks. Next year your sparklers will be verboten.

Since the City no longer funds the downtown Kirkland fireworks and bans the personal use of fireworks, this year could be the last for bombs bursting in air.

Many in the annexation area will welcome the change as the booms and whistles of the safe and sane fireworks are not appreciated by all. The incidents of accidental fires and burn injuries are always in the news around the Fourth of July. If you do plan to celebrate the Fourth with fireworks, have fun, be safe and look after your pets.

Don’t forget that this year’s biggest display of fireworks in town will be at Marina Park. For details, visit: http://www.celebratekirkland.org/

About Rob Butcher

Editor and Scribbler of Kirkland Views.
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  • Garrettensign

    By far one of the most idiotic things I've ever heard. The only thing changing between July 4th, 2010 and July 4th, 2011 is a few words in a book. How does annexation all of a sudden prevent the same area that once allowed fireworks to disallow their use? There's nothing being implemented within the annexed area that will be jeopardized by the discharge of fireworks; the annexed area will be the same area it has always been, regardless of it being a part of a city.

    One day a year… one day a year, and you morons can't handle that. Well, you finally got your wish; fireworks will be banned next year. Thanks for ruining my family's incredibly enjoyable annual tradition of fourth of July fireworks in our cul de sac, where we have been discharging fireworks every single fourth of July since 1983, without one property-damaging incident.

    Shame on you people for destroying my family's tradition (and many other families' traditions as well).

  • Bonnie Fletcher

    To Garrettensign: Have you never heard of “for the greater good”? There may not have been any property damaging events in your neighborhood, but I would be willing to bet there have been other incidents in the annexation area not only property damaging but Person damaging. Not everyone is as careful with dangerous fireworks as you obviously have been. Case in point, the little boy who found a dangerous firework on the beach and ignited it resulting in almost the loss of his hand.

  • Garrettensign

    It's not my problem what stupid people do in their own lives, ie parents thinking it's okay to let their “little boy” have a lighter and light a firework on the beach. These imbeciles will inevitably find a way to jeopardize their life and limbs, with or without fireworks. Fireworks don't ignite and jeopardize life and property on their own.

    If fireworks are to be banned, then they should be controlled in a way that allows those wishing to use them without adhering to cumbersome and unnecessary regulation. I browsed the fireworks laws in Kirkland and they are absolutely cumbersome and unnecessary. If I am to use fireworks, I need to provide the fire marshal with a detailed map of where I will be lighting fireworks, proof of a surety to provide property insurance, receipt of payment for several officers to stand around while fireworks are lit, and upfront payment of a few other fees.

    It would be nice if the firework zealots would have just as much fervor for much harmful things threatening the “greater good,” like alcohol, cars, guns, sunlight, etc. How about outlawing the sun? That's a good idea!

    Idiots…