Fireworks ban may go up in smoke

The Sisters City Council will change city ordinances prohibiting the use and sale of fireworks within the city limits.

Mayor Steve Wilson made the case for allowing fireworks stands and displays at the council's Thursday, July 13 meeting.

"So many people were setting off fireworks this past July 4," he said, "that if we enforced the (current) law, we'd have needed to use school buses to haul them to warehouses."

Wilson and other councilors noted that there had been little danger of a resulting fire in the celebration two weeks ago because most downtown residents set off their fireworks in the street. However, the council directed Steve Bryant, city attorney, to research state law.

Bryant was also directed to include a provision in the draft of the new law which would limit sales to the period surrounding the July 4 holiday.

Additionally, the council asked that the local fire chief be given the authority to suspend activities in case of volatile fire conditions.

Sisters' fireworks ordinance dates back to 1947, according to city administrator Barbara Warren.

The proposed new ordinance will be reviewed by council at its next meeting, July 27, for possible action