By Bill Hardesty |[email protected]

With a 5 to 1, with 1 abstain, the City Council passed a ban on all fireworks, explosive devices, and open flames, except for residential barbecues, within the boundaries of South Lake City. This ban starts immediately and is in effect until further notice.

Shane Siwik was the no vote and Natalie Pinkney abstained. They both voiced concern over the lack of time to get the word and more importantly, the penalty attached to the ordinance.

Violation to this ban is classified as a Class B misdemeanor which means 0 to 180 days in jail with a maximum fine of $1,000. Siwik and Pinkney voiced concerns that the possible punishment outweighs the severity of the crime. The only way to change the situation is to change the code, which is a longer process.

This action was done under South Salt Lake Municipal Code 8.18.090. The code provided “the Fire Chief the authority based on adverse fire and hazardous environmental conditions to prohibit the ignition or use of all fireworks throughout the City.”

 “The South Salt Lake Fire Department has been monitoring current drought conditions and has determined that due to the current existing hazardous environmental conditions such as low humidity and moisture content of vegetation, fireworks, explosive devices, and open flames create a safety hazard to the community.,” Chief Terry Addison said.

This ordinance does not ban the sell of fireworks within the city. Currently, the city has no firework locations in the city. The ban is on using the fireworks.