– “Thurston County approves fireworks restrictions during burn bans”
* New regulations begin in 2017
* Commissioner Wolfe proposed ban on all consumer fireworks
* Opponents say ban will hurt nonprofits and American traditions

“The Thurston County Board of County Commissioners unanimously voted 3-0 Monday night to approve regulations that will allow officials to prohibit consumer fireworks in unincorporated areas during periods of extreme fire danger.

The new ordinance won’t take effect until 2017.

‘It’s the fire danger that makes me so nervous,’ Commission chair Sandra Romero said,” by Lisa Pemberton, The Olympian.
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Read more from KING 5 TV.


– “Fire leaders urge caution as fireworks sales begin”
“‘99% of our fires are human caused fires, less than 1% are lightning fires so as people are looking at what they’re doing with the campfires, the fireworks, even mowing the lawn in a hot dry afternoon, those things can start a fire,’ [King County] Fire Unit Manager Charley Burns said,” quoting Alex Rosier, KING 5 TV News.
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Editor’s Note:
This is a prudent and wise move. With hotter, drier summers and trees tinder-dry, the fire danger is of chief concern. Burn bans begin in mid-July, so will not affect 4th of July fireworks sales, nor “hurt nonprofits and American traditions.”