On Monday evening, the Eugene City Council unanimously approved a ban on the sale and use of all fireworks within city limits South of 18th Avenue or East of Agate street. The ban extends through the remainder of 2021 and 2022.
The ban was proposed after the Fire Marshall presented details of the high fire risk in those areas, due to dry conditions and landscape.
Both localized and city-wide fireworks bans and restrictions were considered by the council in 2014 and 2016.
The council held a public hearing before the vote, and two community members voiced their concerns.
Eugene resident Emily Fox supported the ban, citing the negative effects of fireworks on the community, including debris and noise and air pollution.
“For people with asthma, hay fever, lung problems, veterans, animals, this is very important,” Fox said.
Fox also cited the fire risks posed by fireworks and mentioned the Holiday Farm fire of 2020.
“I think this year especially after the Holiday Farm fire, people are concerned about the possibility of fire and are willing to find another way to celebrate the 4th of July.”
Jason Trout, the regional manager of TNT Fireworks, expressed TNT’s support of the 2021 ban, but asked the council to reconsider extending the ban into 2022.
“To try to do something preemptively for 2022, without knowing what the climate or the weather is at this point, seems a little bit early,” Trout said.
TNT is more than willing to help educate the community about firework safety and fire hazards, Trout said.
“I can appreciate how dry it is this year, and we’re certainly willing to work with the city in educating all of the people who purchase fireworks at all of our locations,” Trout said.
Several council members said they supported a citywide ban on all fireworks, while others discussed city-sponsored fireworks shows as an alternative to personal use, but the present ordinance was the only action taken Monday night.
