No fireworks, open fires on reservation

Buying or selling fireworks, or having any open fires are prohibited on the Colville Reservation beginning today and lasting until October 1.

The Colville Business Council passed several emergency resolutions on July 1 to mitigate the fire risk due to extreme fire conditions on the Colville Reservation and surrounding areas.

A July 1 press release from the tribes says that "the sale and ignition of fireworks are now prohibited within the Reservation boundaries. In addition, open fires are prohibited within the Reservation boundaries. All violations of these prohibitions will result in a $5,000.00 fine."

The release also explains that "the shorelines in Hellgate Game Reserve and the Swawilla Basin are closed due to the predicted fire risk and the

restricted accessibility for initial attack resources."

Council Secretary Karen Condon stated that “over the last week we have seen extreme temperatures. On top of an unusually dry year, the Tribes now faces extreme fire conditions. Today’s actions are necessary to protect the lives and property of all residents.”