Editor,

I support a modification of fireworks laws and restrictions on the days that fireworks can legally be used. Public displays by cities and large organizations celebrating the birth of our country and the passing of the old year to the new one are enjoyable, but terrifying our pets and wildlife and endangering fire in dry vegetation is not part of the celebration.

Mortars going off and anything that shoots off airborne sparks when vegetation is dry are disruptive of our rural environment and constitute fire danger. County fire districts already support a ban or restrictions. Limit fireworks use to the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve from nightfall to midnight, period. That should make law enforcement easier.

Thinking that conservative folks do not want any restrictions on fireworks and that this follows political party lines is simply not true. I have Republican friends north and south with pets afraid to go outside or that break loose and run away to hide, or farmers with hay crops in the fields —they desire fireworks bans or restrictions in our county. I have Democrat friends who love shooting off hundreds of dollars’ worth of fireworks and oppose restrictions of any kind.

County commissioners mentioned that the sale of fireworks enables charitable organizations to fundraise, but restrictions would result in fewer scholarships or assistance to those in need. Other organizations sell Christmas trees, plants, or fruit to successfully fundraise. Put this to a public vote and/or allow each district to determine the desire for restrictions. To our charitable organizations – sell strawberries, not fireworks.

Wanda Grone

Langley