Island County commissioners are once again talking about fireworks.

At a workshop meeting last week, the commissioners spoke briefly about the latest idea for restricting fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county. The new proposal would ban mortar-type fireworks and remove July 5 as one of the days when personal fireworks will be allowed.

In the end, the commissioners agreed to schedule the proposed ordinance for a hearing on Jan. 24.

Earlier this year, the group Citizens for Safe and Humane Fireworks proposed banning fireworks altogether from unincorporated area of the county. Many jurisdictions, including the city of Langley, have such a ban, but county code currently allows legal fireworks on July 3-5 and on Dec. 31.

The success of the new measure will likely depend on District 3 Commissioner Janet St. Clair, who is the swing vote on the issue. Commissioner Melanie Bacon, a fellow Democrat in District 1, has been a leader in the effort to ban fireworks while Republican Commissioner Jill Johnson, who represents District 2, has been clear that she opposes the policy.

“What I don’t want to do is eliminate anything that’s for sale in a legal fireworks stand in Island County,” Johnson said last week.

In April, St. Clair finally announced that she wouldn’t support a ban but was willing to discuss the possibility of putting the idea on the ballot for voters to decide. In an interview, Bacon said she didn’t think she could get a second vote for a ballot measure so she moved forward with a limited proposal instead.

During the workshop, commissioners expressed some confusion over what constitutes a “mortar” firework. County Administrator Michael Jones explained that mortars are a type of firework that is launched from a tube.

In opposing restrictions, Johnson has said that her Oak Harbor community doesn’t want any further restrictions to a family-oriented tradition of celebrating Independence Day and New Years Day. She and others pointed out that fireworks stands are an important fundraiser for groups in the community.

On the other hand, members of Citizens for Safe and Humane Fireworks cite fire danger, pollution from fireworks remnants, harassment of wildlife and pets and other concerns. Bacon said she’s especially worried about pyrotechnics sparking fires, which she said it a growing concern in a world that’s becoming warmer and drier.