Farmington Hills Fire Chief Asks for 'Due Caution' Around Fireworks

Farmington Hills Fire Chief Corey Bartsch has a message for anyone planning to take advantage of Michigan's new law allowing airborne fireworks:

"I'm just asking the public use due caution," Bartsch said during Monday's city council meeting. "Don't let the kids touch the fireworks."

It became legal this year to sell firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles and other flying devices to consumers. Legislators passed the change, which Gov. Rick Snyder signed last Dec. 13, to generate sales tax revenue and registration fees. Sellers pay $1,000 annually for a permanent site or $600 for a tent or other seasonal, outdoor location.

Bartsch said local ordinances cannot supercede state law, and local authorities have no control over permitted businesses, except to report any violations to the state. A Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs site shows that in Farmington Hills, Phantom of Michigan, Inc. has been issued two permits, one at 32905 Northwestern Hwy. and one at 35000 Grand River. R George Sale, Inc. at 39045 Polo Club #202, has also been issued a permit.

A Farmington-Farmington Hills Patch reader spotted a business operating on Orchard Lake north of 13 Mile.

Bartsch said the state has set aside 10 federal holidays during which people can shoot off fireworks, including the day before and the day following the holiday. The city cannot set restrictions for those 30 days during the year, he said. 

"Now that the state is allowing the use of firecrackers, Roman candles and bottle rockets, there's more inherent risk to the public," Bartsch said. "Accidents will start to happen."

He noted that fireworks cannot be used in parks or around churches, but added when you set off airborne fireworks, "they're not going to land in your own yard." Mayor Barry Brickner noted recent dry conditions could increase the danger of fire. 

--Patch reporter Alan Stamm also contributed to this report.