Milton officials report active July 4 enforcement; small grass fire extinguished

Milton council members and public-safety officials said they responded proactively to fireworks reports over the July 4 holiday, and police contacts generally resulted in compliance. Director Robeck and Council member Hall described patrol activity and one small grass fire that was extinguished on a vacant lot.

Council member Strader said a constituent reported being told by dispatch that complaints were "just fireworks." Council member Hall said the city's officers were proactive, recounting that officers were "following the fireworks" and made quick contacts; she thanked the police group led by Chief Hernandez for rapid response. Director Robeck told the council he reviewed fire statistics and that dispatch logged nine online reports regarding fireworks (one duplicate). He said officers were "very proactive" and that contacts typically resolved compliance issues.

Robeck also reported increased fireworks activity on tribal land along the Pack Highway, which officers monitored; the group noted this as a complicating factor for local enforcement. The fire department reported one small grass fire on Comet that staff believe was related to fireworks; the fire was extinguished quickly and involved a vacant lot adjacent to a private property where the city had prior concerns.

No ordinance changes or formal council actions were taken at the meeting regarding fireworks regulation. Council members noted the difficulty of enforcement in jurisdictions beyond city limits and raised the possibility of future ballot measures or interjurisdictional coordination to address fireworks concerns.