Irvine Moves Toward Banning Fireworks

The City of Irvine took a major step Tuesday toward banning the sale of so-called safe-and-sane fireworks.

By a 4-1 vote, the City Council gave first-reading approval to an ordinance that would ban the sales but still allow professional displays of fireworks. The measure will be up for second, final approval at the council’s Oct. 14 meeting.

Since only one member, Councilman David Baker, has spoken and voted against the proposal, the ordinance appears headed for passage. It would become law in mid-November.

Bootlegging Feared

In a procedural move two weeks ago, the council voted 4 to 1 on a show of sentiment about banning fireworks, while still allowing professional fireworks displays. Baker, a former mayor, was the sole opposing vote then, as he was Tuesday night. Baker said he opposes the proposed ban on safe-and-sane fireworks because he thinks it would result in the bootlegging into the city of more dangerous, illegal devices, such as bottle rockets.

Mayor Larry Agran and council member Sally Ann Miller said the issue has been debated in Irvine for about eight years, with Little League, youth soccer and high school water polo teams strongly opposed to any ordinance that would restrict their ability to sell fireworks for fund-raising purposes.

At the council session two weeks ago, representatives of such groups spoke against the ban.

Irvine Police Chief Leo Pert said Tuesday that he has taken a neutral position on the ordinance because he was concerned about the enforceability of a ban. He cited the experience of Newport Beach, which has a total ban on fireworks but also widespread use of them every Fourth of July.

“The volume is just too great,” Pert said.

He added, however, that the Orange County Fire Department endorsed a total ban.

Agran said before Tuesday’s council meeting that last June’s election helped put a majority favoring a fireworks ban on the council. But he and Miller said the council also was influenced this time around by a July 4 fire in the Turtle Rock area and similar incidents in previous years.

“I think it’s the times that have changed, not just the council,” Miller said.

Illegal fireworks were blamed for a $2.2-million apartment fire last July 3 in Anaheim, where council members have placed a proposed fireworks ban on the November ballot.

Last January, the Brea City Council voted to ban all but the city-sponsored fireworks display.

Huntington Beach council members last week rejected Fire Chief Raymond C. Picard’s request for a ban, citing the large number of nonprofit groups that sell them to raise money.