City Of Sumner: Fireworks In Sumner

Press release from the City of Sumner:

June 23, 2021

With Independence Day coming up and the extra issue of unusually dry, hot weather, everyone is going to have to abide by fireworks rules and safety precautions for a safe and happy celebration.

The best and safest option is to watch a public fireworks display…or two….or three. They’re spread throughout the weekend in our region, starting with the Puyallup-Sumner Chamber of Commerce event in neighboring Puyallup.

If you must shoot your own fireworks, please note that legal fireworks are allowed in Sumner on July 4 from noon to midnight only.

The short answer is that we can’t. There are State laws that severely limit what we as a city can do with fireworks laws, and they only allow cities to completely ban fireworks if the city council approves a full ban at least one year prior. That means we would have had to have passed a full ban by June 2020 to affect this 4th.

We understand the ways that the noise of fireworks impacts pets and more importantly, people, especially veterans with PTSD. Yet, every year, it’s confirmed that fireworks complaints/noise levels are just as high in cities with full bans as in cities like Sumner with limited hours. In other words, the data shows that a ban does not lead to a quieter, safer holiday. If you think of a way to actually get people to be more respectful of neighbors and even the existing law with their fireworks celebrations, please let us know.

Sumner Police try to respond to every fireworks complaint call we receive. The challenge is that many people get annoyed by illegal fireworks discharge but also don’t call it in. For fireworks, call 253-287-4455 and keep 911 clear for urgent emergencies.

As with any response, our officers assess the situation and use a combination of education and enforcement with the ability to issue infractions and seize illegal fireworks if they have sufficient evidence. This does not mean you will hear silence in Sumner; unfortunately, there hasn’t been a law made yet that people don’t feel the need to break.

Exactly. This spring and summer have already been unseasonably dry, and after last September, we know all too well how devastating an urban wildfire can be. Not many other cities have a wildfire named after them. This is another excellent reason to opt for a public display instead of shooting off your own fireworks, even during the legal hours.

This press release was produced by the City of Sumner. The views expressed here are the author’s own.