Redmond City Council passes total ban on fireworks use and sales
REDMOND, Ore. (KTVZ) — The Redmond City Council has passed a total ban on the use and sale of fireworks following a second reading. The council voted 5-1 in favor of the measure.
The city considered the ban this month following a public hearing where several residents raised complaints. First responders reported to the council that emergency resources were stretched thin on July 4 after responding to multiple fires, some of which were linked to fireworks.
The second reading served as a formality because the ban had already technically passed. Under the ordinance, using any type of firework is illegal in Redmond, even on the Fourth of July. The measure also prohibits the sale of fireworks, affecting local small clubs and charities that rely on fireworks sales for revenue.
Mayor Ed Fitch supported the ban after emergency personnel reported being overwhelmed during the holiday. “I love fireworks. I enjoyed it with the kids. I enjoyed it growing up,” Fitch said. “But we. The fire risk is too much.”
Councilor Jay Patrick cast the single vote against the ban. “I feel it’s unfairly penalizing those who who want to do right and are trying to do right and are just having fun with their kids on on a national holiday,” Patrick said.
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