Fireworks show ignites outrage

A fireworks show at Silver Oak Golf Course on Thursday night caught many by surprise - even the sheriff's office.

Carson City dispatchers fielded scores of calls concerning the repeated booms coming from the north end of town around 10 p.m., said Sheriff Ken Furlong.

"Within a five-minute period, Carson City dispatch got 100 911 calls, which caused the system to roll calls over to Reno - all because the public was not aware this activity was going to go on. It caught everybody by surprise," he said. "I didn't know anything about it."

As part of a four-day auction selling off the bulk of one of the largest collections of vintage cars in the nation, Silver Oak Golf Course celebrated the event Thursday night with a fireworks show.

Assistant Fire Chief Tom Tarulli said the golf course had been granted a special-use permit, which the Carson City Fire Department approved.

"If they had tried to shoot them off in the foothills or any of the outlying areas, we would have said no way," said Tarulli, acknowledging the red-flag fire conditions in effect. "But these were shot off on a golf course, which is all green, as opposed to weeds and dry in an open field. They were shot over the greens and the pond on grass that was recently watered. We made sure the area was free of any brush and there were two water tenders on site and our crews were there as well to catch any falling debris."

He said fire crews and a battalion chief checked the area before the show to ensure that it was safe.

"This was a very controlled environment, very safe," he said.

Planning Division Director Lee Plemel said there is nothing in a special-use permit application that requires the holder to notify the public.

"There's actually nothing in the code now that requires notification," he said. "I think certainly that this is something in the future that we need to flag. I think if nothing else, we've certainly learned a lesson."

Dan Tyma, who lives within a mile of the golf course, echoed the sentiments of a number of callers to the Nevada Appeal. He said he was angered that fireworks were permitted so late in the evening.

"I believe 10 to 10:15 p.m. on a Thursday evening is exceedingly late for fireworks," said Tyma, who has to be at work in Reno by 6:30 a.m.

He said he intends to go before the Board of Supervisors to discuss an ordinance that would prohibit weeknight fireworks displays.

"What can be done to guarantee that this won't happen again?" he asked.