Pierre City commission votes down fireworks ordinance proposal

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (Dakota News Now) - Fireworks won’t’ be a part of the Fourth of July celebration in Pierre this year.

The City Commission rejected a proposed revision to the city’s fireworks ordinances. Last year, the city approved the ordinance allowing people to launch fireworks on private property.

The proposal would have made last year’s temporary permission, a permanent ordinance change. The ordinance failed four-to-one but has sparked debate among residents.

“I think I was among the majority of people in Pierre who maybe don’t have terribly strong feelings, don’t mind it, but understand it is the Fourth of July and there are going to be fireworks,” said City Commissioner Jim Mehlhaff.

Pierre Fire Chief Ian Paul says there were no fire calls from 2017 to 2019 with seven reported last year.