Laws for fireworks vary around Grant County

MOSES LAKE — It’s almost that time of the year for fireworks to stream across the Columbia Basin sky, but before you decide to light off your favorite firework, you might want to check and see what is and isn’t allowed in your area.

Per state law, fireworks can be sold and purchased starting from noon-11 p.m on Thursday. From June 29-July 4 they can be sold and purchased from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. and from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. July 5. Fireworks can be used and discharged starting on Thursday from noon-11 p.m. After that they can be used and discharged from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. June 29-July 3, 9 a.m.-midnight July 4 and from 9 a.m.-11 p.m. July 5.

State law allows cities and counties to restrict and put into place their own rules/regulations pertaining to the sale and discharge of fireworks. Rules for fireworks in cities in Grant County are as follows: George, Royal City, Mattawa and Coulee City all follow state law, Moses Lake has a complete ban on all fireworks, Ephrata has a ban on all aerial fireworks and fireworks cannot be sold or discharged July 5, Soap Lake does not allow aerial fireworks and follows state law in all other areas and Quincy allows for the “safe and sane” discharge of fireworks through July 5 from 9 a.m.-11 p.m.

The discharge of fireworks is prohibited in the unincorporated areas of Marine View and Marine View Heights, Crescent Bar, Sunland Estates, Desert Aire, the Gorge Amphitheater and the Gorge Campground. Questions about laws and regulations in specific cities should be directed to either the city’s fire department, police department or city hall. For questions about fireworks in unincorporated areas contact the Fire Marshal’s Office at 509-754-2011.

The sheriff’s office reminded the public that firecrackers, missiles, rockets, bottle rockets, altered or homemade fireworks, M-80s and larger fireworks, like cherry bombs, are banned statewide.

Richard Byrd can be reached via email at city@columbiabasinherald.com.