Fireworks fly freely without incident

WASILLA — City residents could legally ring in 2008 with a bang New Year’s Eve and the result was a quieter time for city police.

Wasilla City Council voted to lift the city’s ban on fireworks last month, allowing for limited use of class C fireworks for a seven-hour period New Year’s Eve.

With the celebrations over and the seven-hour limitation extinquished, public safety officials say the holiday went off with a successful bang.

“As far as I’m concerned, I think people were relatively responsible,” said Officer Jentry Crain of the Wasilla Police Department. “There wasn’t any kind of disturbances, so I think it was a good call on the city’s part to allow [fireworks] for that evening.”

Not only did the ordinance allow city residents to shoot off fireworks legally, it also reduced the amount of time law enforcement spent dealing with complaints, Crain said.

Michael Keenan, acting fire chief for the Central Matanuska-Susitna Fire Department, said the ordinance had little impact on the fire department’s operations.

“In the past, even though [fireworks] were illegal, everybody fired them off,” Keenan said. “It didn’t have an adverse effect as far as the fire department goes.”

The acting chief said the fire department responded to one fireworks-related injury, but it was not directly related to the new ordinance. The injured person was located on a portion of Knik-Goose Bay Road where fireworks remain illegal.

The ordinance was originally introduced by Deputy Mayor Kristofer Larson after he was approached by residents who voiced a desire to legalize the personal use of fireworks in the city. Larson said he has received mixed response about the ordinance, but most of the feedback he’s received has been thanks for helping to return a freedom the city once enjoyed.

“For those of us that are responsible and want to do it the right way, now we have the opportunity,” Larson said.

Although fireworks didn’t cause any major problems in the city, Keenan said safety is still the largest concern when dealing with this issue.

“We feel that the safest way to enjoy fireworks is going to a licensed show,” he said.

Keenan said he hopes to sit down with the Wasilla City Council to discuss the ordinance in depth. Before it was passed, the fire department had limited input on the issue, he said.

Despite some safety concerns, Keenan said he applauds some parts of the ordinance. For example, the ordinance restricts the use of fireworks if there is a burn ban in place.

Although the ordinance legalized the discharge of fireworks within the city, it also places additional limitations on where and when fireworks are legal. The only time fireworks are legal is from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. New Year’s Eve. Fireworks must be shot from private property, with permission from the owner. Also, they must be discharged at least 50 feet from lakes and waterways and 250 feet from health care facilities, schools, library and churches. Fireworks are also restricted 500 feet from automotive shops or any place that contains flammable liquids.

Contact Chris Gillow at chris.gillow@frontiersman.com or 352-2284.