OKLAHOMA CITY –
A new Oklahoma law legalizing bottle rockets and allowing year-round fireworks sales in some parts of the state is drawing praise from fireworks retailers while prompting city officials to remind residents that local fireworks bans remain unchanged in some communities.
The Rockets’ Red Glare Act recently took effect and primarily applies to unincorporated areas of Oklahoma where county regulations govern fireworks sales and use. Cities such as Oklahoma City, Yukon, and Midwest City continue to enforce their own ordinances.
Oklahoma City Ban Remains in Place
Despite the new state law, fireworks remain illegal within Oklahoma City limits.
“The important thing for everybody within the city of Oklahoma City needs to know is fireworks are still illegal to buy, sell, purchase or light off within the city limits of Oklahoma City,” said Scott Douglas, a battalion chief and public information officer with the Oklahoma City Fire Department.
Douglas said Oklahoma City’s fireworks ordinance has been in place since 1912 and is not affected by the Rockets’ Red Glare Act.
“This law does not affect us. It does not affect the city of Oklahoma City. It does not affect our ordinance,” he said.
Bottle Rockets Return
One of the most significant changes under the new law is the return of bottle rockets, which had been prohibited in Oklahoma since 1981.
Robert Johnson of Good Guys Fireworks said the change will give Oklahomans an opportunity to purchase the products locally rather than traveling across state lines.
“We’re very excited to add some stick rockets back to the inventory,” Johnson said. “They’ve been outlawed since 1981.”
Johnson said customers have responded enthusiastically to the law’s passage.
“We want them to shop local in Oklahoma,” he said.
Johnson’s company operates 18 fireworks locations across central Oklahoma.
Limited Impact in Mustang
In Mustang, officials say the law will result in only minor changes.
“We’ve always had fireworks discharge in Mustang,” said Fire Marshal Eric Halter. “The only thing that changed for our municipality with the state law is the bottle rockets.”
According to Halter, residents may discharge fireworks from June 27 through July 4. Fireworks are allowed from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m. June 27 through July 3 and from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4.
The city also recommends that people who live outside Mustang use Wild Horse Park for fireworks activities.
Safety Concerns Remain
Officials in both Oklahoma City and Mustang stressed the importance of fireworks safety ahead of Independence Day celebrations.
Halter encouraged residents to follow manufacturers’ instructions, keep children from lighting fireworks, avoid holding fireworks in their hands and properly extinguish fireworks before throwing them away.
“A lot of the fires that we see are people throw discharged fireworks away in their trash can, and then they pull the trash cans up next to their house,” Halter said.
He warned that fireworks can continue smoldering for hours before igniting trash containers or nearby structures.
Douglas said the Oklahoma City Fire Department continues to discourage the use of consumer-grade fireworks because of the risks they pose.
“Our stance on fireworks is there’s no safe way to handle consumer-grade fireworks,” he said.
Douglas noted that sparklers can burn at temperatures of approximately 1,200 degrees and that fireworks frequently cause fires in homes, fields and other properties.
Retailers Expect Strong Holiday Sales
As the Fourth of July approaches, Johnson said fireworks retailers are anticipating a strong season, fueled in part by the return of bottle rockets and increased interest surrounding the nation’s upcoming 250th anniversary celebration.
“We are expecting them to explode,” Johnson said of sales. “Twenty percent up is what we have planned for.”
Officials are encouraging residents to familiarize themselves with local regulations before purchasing or using fireworks, noting that rules vary widely depending on where they live.
