Voters favor a firework ban, early election results say

EVERETT — Voters would like to see a fireworks ban in urban growth areas of unincorporated Snohomish County, according to early results in Tuesday’s election.

Proposition No. 1 asked if the Snohomish County Council should enact a law prohibiting the discharge of fireworks in those areas. Of 82,035 ballots turned in, 61.29% were in favor.

It appeared on ballots as a nonbinding advisory vote, meaning no changes will be made at this time. The outcome gives the Snohomish County Council an idea of how people feel about the issue, and could direct the council’s future discussions.

The measure only asked about setting off fireworks, but a future ordinance could also deal with sale and possession.

A ban would not affect cities where the county council does not have jurisdiction. It would cover unincorporated parts of the county that could someday be annexed into existing cities. Half of the cities in the county have already banned fireworks, including Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Gold Bar, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mill Creek, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo and Woodway.

Voters in Arlington had a fireworks advisory vote of their own Tuesday. They supported a ban with a nearly 57 percent yes vote.

As the law is now, fireworks can only be used between 9 a.m. and 11:59 p.m. on the Fourth of July in unincorporated Snohomish County.

Talks of the proposition started in June, when South County Fire began a petition to prohibit the sale and use of fireworks in unincorporated parts of the county.

Support came from people who worried about their pets, and others who had suffered property damage or injuries from these kinds of explosives. Some military veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder also backed the potential restrictions.

Stephanie Davey: 425-339-3192; sdavey@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @stephrdavey.