OGDEN, Utah — In an emergency meeting, the Ogden City Council has banned personal fireworks and other ignition sources until November.
The council unanimously passed a resolution late Thursday to enact a ban. Violations could result in $1,000 fines.
The resolution does not apply to professional shows, which are required to be licensed by the state and carry insurance.
The Ogden Fire Department said the extraordinary drought emergency and wildfire risk makes a ban on personal fireworks necessary. The council cited state law that allows for a ban in "exceptional circumstances." But as FOX 13 reported earlier Thursday, fireworks industry representatives believe the law does not allow municipalities to go that far and has warned of lawsuits.
Some members of the city council told residents who support a ban to call their state lawmakers to ask that cities get clearer powers to enact bans to protect communities. Council member Doug Stephens said people should tell the legislature "they dropped the ball on this one."
Ogden Mayor Mike Caldwell told the council he supported a fireworks ban and believed it was a "prudent thing to do."
Ironically, during the meeting the Ogden Fire Department said it was dispatched to a call of a grass fire within city limits.
