There will be no citywide ban on all types of fireworks because of extreme fire danger but rather an intense media education and prevention blitz, Ketchum city officials decided. "Safe and sane fireworks" only will be allowed, but fire officials warned everyone to be vigilant.
In the wake of last weekend's Trail Creek Fire, which burned dangerously close to Sun Valley and Sun Valley Resort, a fireworks ban was a hot item of discussion at Tuesday night's Ketchum City Council meeting.
A total ban would create more problems, said Ketchum Fire Chief Mike Elle.
"If they (the council) ban safe and sane fireworks they (the public) would go somewhere else, and that's not good," he said.
The city has the power for a total ban with an emergency ordinance.
Elle said he discussed the situation with City Administrator Ron LeBlanc on Tuesday night and after sleeping on it made a decision Wednesday morning.
Asked his level of concern about current fire danger and the Fourth of July, Elle answered, "I would say extremely concerned."
In his 23 years with the Ketchum Fire Department, with one year as chief, Elle said he has never seen it this dry.
"Since I have been here we have never had fire behavior like this in June," he said.
Ketchum Mayor Randy Hall agreed.
"It was absolutely intimidating, quite frightening," Hall said of last weekend's fire.
At the least, the city should get the word out through media announcements, said Councilman Ron Parsons.
"If you cause a fire and burn up something, you're going to pay for it. You don't get a mulligan." (A mulligan, for non-golfers, is when you take a free or extra shot.)
A media campaign is exactly what's underway, said Elle. There will be display ads in local papers; a banner will be displayed on a city-owned parcel on Sun Valley Road warning people to be careful; and Elle and Sun Valley Fire Chief Jeff Carnes will do radio spots on local stations.
"We can certainly step up enforcement," Ketchum Police Chief Cory Lyman said during the meeting.
His officers always seize illegal aerial fireworks when they encounter them, he said. "We will strictly enforce the existing fireworks laws and warnings will not be part of the game plan."
Here's what laws state is illegal, Elle said: "Anything that travels outside a 15--foot (diameter) circle or flies higher than 15 feet or shoots sparks that land outside a 20--foot circle." Obviously, all bottle rockets are illegal.
Elle encouraged strict parental supervision of children using fireworks. They should only be used on paved areas. He also urged people to secure their pets during the Fourth as animals are sometimes injured or go missing during this holiday.
"We will have active fire patrols through the weekend with police back-up, and we will confiscate and destroy illegal fireworks," Elle said. "Educate and confiscate" is the mantra.
He added that if offenders persist they will be cited. Violations are a misdemeanor under city, county and state law, and each violation is punishable by a $300 fine or six months in jail.
Elle said West Ketchum was of special concern and a very bad spot for any fire to start. "If you burn Baldy off you are buying ski lifts."
Ron Parsons
