Residents of San Miguel will not be able to purchase, possess, or discharge “safe and sane” fireworks within the San Miguel Community Services District (CSD) this Independence Day after the district board failed to approve a resolution establishing fireworks sales and use dates.
The issue came before the San Miguel CSD board on May 28 as a continuation from its April 23 meeting. The proposed resolution required a majority vote to pass.
According to Fire Chief Scott Young, the measure fell short of the required support.
“The outcome was two yes, one no, one abstained, one vacancy,” Young told New Times. “As a result, it needed a 3/5 majority. I mean three of the four seated board members would have had to approve that.”
The proposed resolution would have established July 1 through 4 as the period for safe and sane fireworks sales and would have opened a permit application period from May 1 through June 5. The district’s fire code allows for safe and sane fireworks program under a previous ordinance, but annual dates must be approved by board action.
Because the resolution failed, Young said there will be no authorized fireworks activities within district boundaries this year.
“As a result of that, there are no safe and sane fireworks for sale, for use, discharge, or possession within the San Miguel Community Service District,” Young said in a June 17 press release.
A notice issued by the Fire Department states that there is no approved time for the use or discharge of safe and sane fireworks this year.
A district ordinance makes it unlawful to discharge fireworks outside periods established by the board and prohibits storing safe and sane fireworks without a valid permit. Violations may be prosecuted as misdemeanors and can carry fines ranging from $500 to $1,000 and up to one year in county jail.
Young also emphasized that illegal fireworks remain prohibited regardless of the board’s decision.
“It goes without saying that illegal fireworks were illegal everywhere,” he said. “So there is no use of illegal fireworks, as always.”
During a June 11 board meeting, board member Owen Davis introduced an emergency fireworks ordinance related to the Fourth of July. That measure also failed.
“It was brought forward, and it didn’t pass and that’s really all I could say about it,” Young said.
When asked whether emergency fireworks ordinances are common in San Miguel, Young said, “As long as I’ve been with the department, this the first time that’s happened.” ∆
This article appears in Winning Images 2026.
What if fireworks are discharged outsie the District boundaries?
By a resident?
By a non resident?
Will police officers be stationed along the Disgtrict boundaries to catch offenders?
I suppose it is easier to watch for flares and follow them to find offenders. I am tempted to hang out where fireworks are banned just to see what authorities do to catch offenders.
I suspect I can do that from home. We saw a lot of fireworks last year and it was not promoted like the 250 yrs is now.
This is a banner year and I am not seeing authority approved firework displays. Far be it from such approved displays would have the wear-with-all to send notices to residents so they can enjoy the approved displays and cancel their orders for illegal fireworks.
Seniors and those of limited ability could be admitted without charge.
Americans are known for their flaunting of authority so it really does behoove the authorities to pay attention to that beloved attitude of Americans. It will surface on the 4th of all days when we celebrate our Independence.