Fireworks banned in Blackwell: Why the change?

The Blackwell City Council met last Thursday to, effectively, ban fireworks within the city limits after several summers of devastating fires and damage as a result of the city’s formerly lax fireworks ordinances. 

Ordinance 2024-18 prohibits the manufacturing, selling, furnishing, storage, discharge, firing, or use of fireworks within the corporate limits of the City of Blackwell. 

Previously, the City of Blackwell was the only major city in Kay County that allowed “permissible” and “non-permissible” fireworks. 

First-time offenders in violation of the ordinance could face a $250 fine while second offenses will potentially face a fine of $350 with third-time offenders facing a possibly $450 fine. 

Since 2020, there have been two residential house fires in Blackwell caused by fireworks with several other fires started by them as well.

Fire Chief Cory Hanebrink addressed the council regarding the ordinance.

“Every year during the City’s fireworks display we have people in the fairgrounds waiting for the show, shooting off fireworks. This is obviously very dangerous to the people around, to the crowds just sitting there, waiting,” Hanebrink said. 

“Just this past summer we had two trashcan fires started by fireworks. In 2020 we had a structure fire caused by fireworks landing on a roof- the ceiling collapsed over this woman’s bed. The entire time we were fighting that fire, people were shooting off fireworks around us.” 

Hanebrink continued, stating that every year there’s more fires than the last.

“A few years ago we tried to combat this by reducing the height of the fireworks that could be discharged so that kids could enjoy the fountains and all of that…but people just arent following the rules,” Chief Hanebrink lamented. 

“It’s our job to keep the citizens safe,” said Hanebrink, “that’s why we’re asking for this.” 

City Manager Jerry Wieland reiterated Hanebrink’s sentiments and presented the side of fireworks from the Blackwell Police Department.

“Every year the Police Department recieves calls all night long, chasing calls of fireworks and by the time they can get to one those individuals are gone and it’s onto the next,” Wieland said. 

“It also puts a burden on our Street & Parks Department. [Department Manager Chuck Anderson] and his guys spend hours and hours post-July 4 cleaning up debris off the streets. This isn’t just an issue for the fire department, it’s a burden the City of Blackwell has carried for years,” said Wieland. 

The ordinance was approved unanimously.