It’s now illegal to sell, possess or use of any type of fireworks in unincorporated areas of Lincoln County under a revised ordinance approved Wednesday by county commissioners.
The ordinance took effect immediately and applies even to fireworks that are legal in Oregon. Commissioners discussed the issue briefly three times in November and December, receiving just one comment in opposition and one comment in support.
The amended ordinance does not affect public displays put on by various municipalities around the July 4 holiday and affects only areas of the county outside of the seven incorporated cities.
But commissioners and Sheriff Curtis Landers say they hope cities will follow their lead soon and prohibit fireworks too. Landers said a more uniform ordinance across the county and the seven cities would help his deputies and police departments in Newport, Lincoln City and Toledo. The sheriff has contracts to provide patrol services in Waldport, Depoe Bay and Siletz.
Landers told YachatsNews last month – and has told commissioners the same – that enforcing such a ban is impossible given the sheer volume of calls and complaints his department receives July 4. “But it does give us a tool if we get into a situation where there’s a lot of other things going on as well,” he said.
Under the county’s nuisance ordinance, a sheriff’s citation could result in a fine of up to $500.
There was no push back on this, because nobody knew about these meetings. This needs to go in front of the voters not county commissioners. Needs to be voted on publicly.
There were no private or closed door meetings on this. All occurred in open, public session. (And why I edited that allegation out of your comment.) This is the smallest — but the third — story that YachatsNews has done on the proposed county fireworks ordinance. That’s why it can be valuable to have a good, local news source. No other media in Lincoln County has reported on this — and it’s been going on for two months. Quinton Smith/editor/YachatsNews
Yes, i agree
Thank you Quinton Smith and YachatsNews for continuing to be the source of local news in Lincoln County. In issues of public safety our Board of Commissioners has every right to vote to protect their constituents. I am very pleased that our Lincoln County Board of Commissioners continue to protect and defend us, the residents of Lincoln County. Oregon’s climate has changed — summers are far hotter and drier now and with more people living here the carelessness of a few (Gorge fire) can cause terrible harm to our natural areas and our homes and property. There are plenty of lovely professional displays to enjoy. This is a win for all of us who want peace in our neighborhoods.
This is a huge relief for me and my pets who have been menaced by this around 4th of July and New Years since I moved here in 2018. We live in a forested area that has been quite dry in July when someone was regularly shooting off illegal fireworks from Forest Hill Road. Good riddance.
What a waste of time and energy going through the process of outlawing fire works. NYE I was subjected to fireworks that sent me diving under the table, while my three dogs ran to the closest shaking with fear. “They” already say it impossible to enforce but can be a tool if there is other things going on. It’s all a joke.
I am a resident of Waldport. I noticed few, if any, fireworks in town over New Year’s Eve. If this was due to the decisions of the county commissioners, I offer my thanks and am happy for my pets as well. I just thought neighbors were being considerate. People getting their feelings hurt over limiting fireworks is just silly. Fireworks are not included in the Second Amendment.