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The city of Grass Valley decided late Thursday to ban the sale and use of consumer fireworks this year because of the fire danger.
The decision comes amid mounting criticism from some residents, businesses and officials, including the governor's office, about the wisdom of allowing the sale of fireworks while cities such as Grass Valley are blanketed in thick smoke from ongoing fires.
"How do you suppose it looks to an Idaho firefighter, who is sleeping in a tent at the fairgrounds and fighting fires 12 hours a day on our behalf, only to see us supporting and placing fireworks stands within our cities while we have all these fires going," said Walt Wilson, property manager of the Fowler Center, in an email seen by The Union.
Wilson, who confirmed his email on Thursday night, was writing to SaveMart management to object to a fireworks stand in the Fowler Center. "In short, the Fowlers want the fireworks stand removed from their property."
The poor air quality created by the smoke is the worst in decades, forcing many people indoors. The fairgrounds has been turned into a staging area to fight the fires.
Some people wished the decision had come sooner. Nonprofits depend on the money from fireworks sales for school programs, but critics complained about the risks.
The fireworks stands were due to open at noon on Saturday.
City officials, led by Fire Chief Jim Marquis, will seek to issue an emergency order prohibiting the use of consumer fireworks within the city.
"This was a very difficult decision due to its impact on nonprofit organizations that depend on fireworks sales for their income, but based on the information we have ... it was the right decision," said City Administrator Dan Holler.
The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for the next three days, suggesting a high probability for additional lightening-caused fires and the further drawdown of firefighting resources.
During the past year, the city conducted a review of its policy on allowing the sale and use of consumer fireworks. The City Council voted to approve the fireworks sales under so-called controlled conditions, which fire officials contend are safe.
Nonprofit groups showed out in force at the City Council meeting to fight the possible ban of fireworks.
Nevada City is expected to follow suit with Grass Valley.
A decision is expected later this morning whether the fireworks at the fairgrounds will go ahead.
The decision comes amid mounting criticism from some residents, businesses and officials, including the governor's office, about the wisdom of allowing the sale of fireworks while cities such as Grass Valley are blanketed in thick smoke from ongoing fires.
"How do you suppose it looks to an Idaho firefighter, who is sleeping in a tent at the fairgrounds and fighting fires 12 hours a day on our behalf, only to see us supporting and placing fireworks stands within our cities while we have all these fires going," said Walt Wilson, property manager of the Fowler Center, in an email seen by The Union.
Wilson, who confirmed his email on Thursday night, was writing to SaveMart management to object to a fireworks stand in the Fowler Center. "In short, the Fowlers want the fireworks stand removed from their property."
The poor air quality created by the smoke is the worst in decades, forcing many people indoors. The fairgrounds has been turned into a staging area to fight the fires.
Some people wished the decision had come sooner. Nonprofits depend on the money from fireworks sales for school programs, but critics complained about the risks.
The fireworks stands were due to open at noon on Saturday.
City officials, led by Fire Chief Jim Marquis, will seek to issue an emergency order prohibiting the use of consumer fireworks within the city.
"This was a very difficult decision due to its impact on nonprofit organizations that depend on fireworks sales for their income, but based on the information we have ... it was the right decision," said City Administrator Dan Holler.
The National Weather Service has issued a fire weather watch for the next three days, suggesting a high probability for additional lightening-caused fires and the further drawdown of firefighting resources.
During the past year, the city conducted a review of its policy on allowing the sale and use of consumer fireworks. The City Council voted to approve the fireworks sales under so-called controlled conditions, which fire officials contend are safe.
Nonprofit groups showed out in force at the City Council meeting to fight the possible ban of fireworks.
Nevada City is expected to follow suit with Grass Valley.
A decision is expected later this morning whether the fireworks at the fairgrounds will go ahead.
