BREMERTON—Despite extremely dry temperatures for the area, fireworks will still be legal July 4 from 11 a.m – 11 p.m.

In light of recent weather, Bremerton City Council members and the fire department support changing city code to allow banning the discharge of fireworks during times of extreme danger.

However, any new city laws restricting the use of fireworks must be in place for 365 days before it takes effect. Meaning, 2017 is the earliest any new regulation would be imposed.

The council’s next meeting is July 1, which sounds like enough time to pass a new ordinance for 2016, but there’s a 10 day period after a new law is passed before it becomes effective.

Code is being drafted that would allow fire marshals to shut down fireworks use in the future, according to City Attorney Roger Lubovich. Douglas and San Juan County have similar laws in place.

The city is also considering sending fireworks vendors a letter asking them to sell with caution.

“I’d be open to a letter that puts some of the responsibility on the folks selling fireworks under these conditions,” said Greg Wheeler, council president.

In the mean time, Councilman Jerry McDonald suggested the city strictly enforce current regulations.

“The other side is that maybe we can be very, very strict on the enforcement of what’s out there and certainly be there to discourage people from doing stupid stuff,” McDonald said.

Bremerton Fire Chief Al Duke said the fire department will have extra staff working July 4 starting about 4 p.m.

Statewide, there’s been over 300 wildfires this year.

Kitsap County entered a burn ban June 22. In the last month, there have been at least four brush fires and three structure fires in Bremerton alone.

“We’ve had a number of brush fires already,” Duke said. “Usually you’re just hoping the sun will come out by the Fourth of July.”