After Gray Fire, community is “very nervous”
MEDICAL LAKE – In response to community concerns following last summer’s devastating Gray Fire, the Medical Lake City Council addressed the issue of fireworks during their meeting on May 21.
Mayor Terri Cooper emphasized the heightened anxiety within the community regarding fireworks.
“The people impacted by the fire are very nervous about fireworks,” Cooper said. “I think our plan should be if we get into a critical fire danger, and the fire chief has the authority, then the fire chief has the authority to say there can be no fireworks.”
Despite the concerns, the city is planning a controlled fireworks display for the Fourth of July.
“We have planned fireworks for the Fourth of July with a licensed person that’s controlled and in one place so we don’t lose out on fireworks,” Cooper added.
The upcoming event, which will include Rocket Man Fireworks at Waterfront Park, is budgeted at $4,000. This decision comes in the wake of the Gray Fire, which significantly impacted the community’s mental health. The wildfire, which started on August 18, 2023, near Medical Lake, burned 10,085 acres and destroyed 259 structures. One fatality was also linked to the fire.
City Manager Sonny Weathers addressed the legal aspects of fireworks within city limits. “As far as existing law and codes go, the state law allows for fireworks,” Weathers said. “But many cities have said no to fireworks. Our code in Medical Lake says we do allow fireworks with the stipulation the fire chief has the ability to deter munitions based on extreme fire or weather conditions.”
Clare is an Eastern Washington University graduate and a reporter at Free Press Publishing.
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