Doug Petrowski, editor of our sister site Mltnews.com in Mountlake Terrace, reports on the fireworks stand that Mike Luke operates outside of his convenience store on Edmonds Way. His business is surrounded by cities that ban fireworks: Woodway, Edmonds and Shoreline, but notes that the store is located in Esperance, “a little pocket of unincorporated Snohomish County.”

Luke says he explains the laws to any customers who ask. “I give full disclosure,” he said.

Fireworks are permitted, within limited time frames, in Lynnwood, Brier and unincorporated Snohomish County, which includes Esperance.

Although he stocks plenty of fireworks that are loud and bright, even aerial rockets, Luke said his biggest selling items are more modest. “Most of my sales are the family-friendly stuff, the smoke bombs, the sparklers,” he said.

Luke is not a fan of the fireworks that can be purchased on the Tulalip and other reservations. “Some of the crap they sell on the reservations — the M-80s, the firecrackers, the bottle rockets — that’s the stuff that will cause trouble,” he said.

Snohomish County Fire District 1 is also discouraging all fireworks use except for professional displays administered by licensed pyro technicians. The Fire District reports that fireworks have been responsible for more than $3.25 million in property damage in Snohomish County over the past six years. Instead, Fire District 1 encourages holiday revelers to attend one of the area’s public firework displays, such as the Edmonds Kind of Fourth.