Setting Off Fireworks in MLT? Be Prepared to Be Fined

Just a reminder to everyone that it is unlawful for any person to sell, possess, use, transfer, discharge or ignite any fireworks within the City of Mountlake Terrace. Violations will result in confiscation of fireworks and fines.

If you’re still wondering why personal fireworks are banned in Mountlake Terrace, here are a few statistics from MLTnews contributor, Mark:

  • In 2008, fireworks caused an estimated 22,500 reported fires, including 1,400 total structure fires, 500 vehicle fires, and 20,600 outside and other fires. These fires resulted in an estimated one civilian death, 40 civilian injuries and $42 million in direct property damage.
  • In 2008, U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 7,000 people for fireworks related injuries; 53% of 2008 emergency room fireworks-related injuries were to the extremities and 37% were to the head.
  • The risk of fireworks injury was highest for teens ages 15-19 and children 5-9, both with at least two-and-a-half times the risk for the general population.
  • On Independence Day in a typical year, far more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for more than half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires.

For more information about the fireworks law, please contact the Mountlake Terrace Police Department at (425) 670-8260.

[image courtesy Jessica Lynn]

  1. I plan on lighting off my fireworks and firecrackers again this year. I think this year instead of doing it my driveway though, I may go to the parking lot of the new City hall location. when the Jack booted thugs show up their to stamp out my freedom, I will move my display location to the front yards of those council members who voted to ban fireworks in MLT to begin with. I will save a few to light off in the front yards of those elderly curmudgeons that should be in nursing homes, not roaming around free in society supporting fireworks bans.

    1. Don’t forget the old city hall parking lot is directly in front of the police station. I don’t think you will light off too many fireworks, before they are writing you a ticket.

  2. I plan on lighting off my fireworks and firecrackers again this year. I think this year instead of doing it my driveway though, I may go to the parking lot of the new City hall location. when the Jack booted thugs show up their to stamp out my freedom, I will move my display location to the front yards of those council members who voted to ban fireworks in MLT to begin with. I will save a few to light off in the front yards of those elderly curmudgeons that should be in nursing homes, not roaming around free in society supporting fireworks bans.

  3. Don't forget the old city hall parking lot is directly in front of the police station. I don't think you will light off too many fireworks, before they are writing you a ticket.

  4. I don’t mind if people would light off fireworks on the 4th of July, but the problem is people light them off for a week before and a week after at all hours of the night and some idiot by me lights off M80’s randomly throughout the year. Haven’t been able to figure out exactly who it is since it’s so random but it does infringe on my pursuit of happiness when I’m sleeping!

  5. I don't mind if people would light off fireworks on the 4th of July, but the problem is people light them off for a week before and a week after at all hours of the night and some idiot by me lights off M80's randomly throughout the year. Haven't been able to figure out exactly who it is since it's so random but it does infringe on my pursuit of happiness when I'm sleeping!

  6. I, for one, am thankful for the fireworks ban. Our street was a war-zone on Independence Day each year. We would regularly spend an hour or two cleaning the next day, and we never set of any fireworks of our own. Of the 5 sets of neighbors who set of hundreds of dollars of fireworks each year 3 of them never cleaned up their mess, and the other two only picked up directly in front of their houses. We had $500 in damage to our car, and melted spots on our roof. nnIf you love fireworks go up to Boom City and set them off there – or hop over to Brier.

    1. I shouldn’t have to drive 20 miles away or even 20 blocks away. I should be able to do what I want to in my own yard. I pay my property taxes. You may say that the fireworks never stay only in my yard, but mine did. and I always had a hose handy in case there was a problem.

      1. Just because you pay taxes, property or otherwise, and just because you live in a country with more freedoms than most any other, does not mean its citizens get to do whatever the heck they want on their property. The rights and privileges of others must be considered, and is the basis of this law. It’s apparent from the two posts you’ve made on this thread you have little regard to either of those for anyone but yourself.

      2. You should be able to do what you want in your own yard as long as it doesn’t hurt anyone else or their property. Over time it has become pretty clear that personal fireworks are causing damage outside of the property where they originate. I shouldn’t have to cover my car and stand in my yard with the hose because my neighbor wants to set off fireworks, it is not how I want to spend my time.

        1. Knitter, therein lies the crux and the key point to this issue… the impact on citizens the actions of other citizens has, and in this case, the impact fireworks has or has the potential to have. Yes, you SHOULD be able to do ‘pretty much’ anything you want on your property provided there is no risk of infringing on the rights of others around you. Which is, for the most part, true throughout the country… want to run naked in your yard? Sure, as long as no one else that doesn’t want to be blinded by the white doesn’t see you (or mind)… then it’s your right.It almost sounds like if “Uncle Sam” had his way, one could build a thermal nuclear reactor on their property because ‘he should be able to do whatever he wants’… because it’s his property and he pays taxes.When your neighbors have to live in fear for their homes and property because of their neighbor’s use of fireworks, it infringes on their right to comfort, happiness and security. It has nothing to do with ‘curmudgeons’ as ‘uncle sam’ so insultingly put it. Those that scream ‘rights infringement’, “I’m an American, I can do what I want!”, obviously have no concept of others or THEIR neighbor’s rights. I miss the fireworks in our cul-de-sac, but totally understand and respect the law as it is now, and actually embrace it. It’s the right thing.

          1. Well put, and I totally agree. I would love to have chickens, but I am not going to put my neighbors through that. Hopefully I can do the next best thing and score some organic eggs at the Farmer’s Market.

      3. Uncle Sam, you may have set off fireworks in a manner respectful to your neighbors, but you are in the minority. Just because we own property and pay taxes doesn’t give us the right to damage the property of others. And I assure you, that’s what fireworks do. If you set fire to your house with an errant firework…do you think that you are the only one to pay the price? What about your neighbors who now have to file an insurance claim for smoke damage? What about the environmental damage from burning electronics, insulation and plastics? What about the excessive waste of water to put out the flames? I’m sorry, I really am, but if you want to set off fireworks. You’re going to have to move to another city.

        1. Well, I set off fireworks in my back yard. no problems with burning buildings or police. Fireworks related damage is so miniscule in the grand scheme of things. I think Fire departments make up most of the statistics and sell it to the media to garner sympathy at levy time and to promote their agenda of banning fireworks.rnrn@Mark. I should be able to build a thermonuclear reactor on my property. Doesn’t mean I would.

          1. Good for you Uncle Sam. You broke the law and didnu2019t get caught or injured. What a fantastic success.nnIncidents documented by the Fire Marshalu2019s Office last year include: 184 fires and wounds based on fireworks reported in Snohomish County; 89 house fires, totaling more than $5,300,000 in damage; nine caused by legal fireworks, 15 by illegal products and the rest by an unknown type of firework; 105 fires and 91 injuries caused by products illegal in Washington; Six fires and explosions, and three wounds caused by sparkler bombs. These are thought to be explosives, not fireworks. The wounds include metal puncture wounds and burns from the hot metal, trauma and burns to the hands, face, legs and chest.nnnRound up of this yearu2019s most dramatic injuries: nhttps://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2010/07/your_post-fourth_of_july_injur.phpnnSnohomish County boy flown to Harborview after fireworks mishap.nhttps://www2.seattlepi.com/articles/422908.htmln

  7. I, for one, am thankful for the fireworks ban. Our street was a war-zone on Independence Day each year. We would regularly spend an hour or two cleaning the next day, and we never set of any fireworks of our own. Of the 5 sets of neighbors who set of hundreds of dollars of fireworks each year 3 of them never cleaned up their mess, and the other two only picked up directly in front of their houses. We had $500 in damage to our car, and melted spots on our roof. If you love fireworks go up to Boom City and set them off there – or hop over to Brier.

  8. I shouldn't have to drive 20 miles away or even 20 blocks away. I should be able to do what I want to in my own yard. I pay my property taxes. You may say that the fireworks never stay only in my yard, but mine did. and I always had a hose handy in case there was a problem.

  9. Just because you pay taxes, property or otherwise, and just because you live in a country with more freedoms than most any other, does not mean its citizens get to do whatever the heck they want on their property. The rights and privileges of others must be considered, and is the basis of this law. It's apparent from the two posts you've made on this thread you have little regard to either of those for anyone but yourself.

  10. You should be able to do what you want in your own yard as long as it doesn't hurt anyone else or their property. Over time it has become pretty clear that personal fireworks are causing damage outside of the property where they originate. I shouldn't have to cover my car and stand in my yard with the hose because my neighbor wants to set off fireworks, it is not how I want to spend my time.

  11. Knitter, therein lies the crux and the key point to this issue… the impact on citizens the actions of other citizens has, and in this case, the impact fireworks has or has the potential to have. Yes, you SHOULD be able to do 'pretty much' anything you want on your property provided there is no risk of infringing on the rights of others around you. Which is, for the most part, true throughout the country… want to run naked in your yard? Sure, as long as no one else that doesn't want to be blinded by the white doesn't see you (or mind)… then it's your right.It almost sounds like if “Uncle Sam” had his way, one could build a thermal nuclear reactor on their property because 'he should be able to do whatever he wants'… because it's his property and he pays taxes.When your neighbors have to live in fear for their homes and property because of their neighbor's use of fireworks, it infringes on their right to comfort, happiness and security. It has nothing to do with 'curmudgeons' as 'uncle sam' so insultingly put it. Those that scream 'rights infringement', “I'm an American, I can do what I want!”, obviously have no concept of others or THEIR neighbor's rights. I miss the fireworks in our cul-de-sac, but totally understand and respect the law as it is now, and actually embrace it. It's the right thing.

  12. Well put, and I totally agree. I would love to have chickens, but I am not going to put my neighbors through that. Hopefully I can do the next best thing and score some organic eggs at the Farmer's Market.

  13. Uncle Sam, you may have set off fireworks in a manner respectful to your neighbors, but you are in the minority. Just because we own property and pay taxes doesn't give us the right to damage the property of others. And I assure you, that's what fireworks do. If you set fire to your house with an errant firework…do you think that you are the only one to pay the price? What about your neighbors who now have to file an insurance claim for smoke damage? What about the environmental damage from burning electronics, insulation and plastics? What about the excessive waste of water to put out the flames? I'm sorry, I really am, but if you want to set off fireworks. You're going to have to move to another city.

  14. Well, I set off fireworks in my back yard. no problems with burning buildings or police. Fireworks related damage is so miniscule in the grand scheme of things. I think Fire departments make up most of the statistics and sell it to the media to garner sympathy at levy time and to promote their agenda of banning fireworks.@Mark. I should be able to build a thermonuclear reactor on my property. Doesn't mean I would.

  15. Good for you Uncle Sam. You broke the law and didn’t get caught or injured. What a fantastic success.Incidents documented by the Fire Marshal’s Office last year include: 184 fires and wounds based on fireworks reported in Snohomish County; 89 house fires, totaling more than $5,300,000 in damage; nine caused by legal fireworks, 15 by illegal products and the rest by an unknown type of firework; 105 fires and 91 injuries caused by products illegal in Washington; Six fires and explosions, and three wounds caused by sparkler bombs. These are thought to be explosives, not fireworks. The wounds include metal puncture wounds and burns from the hot metal, trauma and burns to the hands, face, legs and chest.Round up of this year’s most dramatic injuries: https://blogs.seattleweekly.com/dailyweekly/2010…Snohomish County boy flown to Harborview after fireworks mishap.https://www2.seattlepi.com/articles/422908.html

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