VANCOUVER, Wash. – Following the announcement that the traditional Fort Vancouver Fourth of July fireworks spectacular will not be returning in 2009 due to budget woes, Vancouver city officials are now asking whether to end the sale of personal fireworks in the area.

Part of the revenue generated by the sale of fireworks to private citizens helped pay for the big annual fireworks show.

With no need for the revenue, the idea behind stopping local sales due to injuries and fire danger has been broached by the Vancouver city council.

They will discuss the matter further on Monday at a 4 p.m. meeting.

Fireworks are legal in Washington in many places, and sales in Vancouver attract a large amount of business from Oregon residents.

Most fireworks sold in Washington are considered illegal in Oregon.

The Vancouver Fire Marshall backs the idea of a ban due to the injuries and fires his crews must respond to each year around Independence Day.