Red, white and blue are popular colors for shoppers and employees at TNT Fireworks as seen in 2022. Fireworks go on sale on June 28. (Amanda Cowan/The Columbian files)Photo Gallery
Sales of fireworks across Clark County will begin in just over a week on June 28. While that may be exciting news for many people, others — including Vancouver resident Sean Gibson — aren’t exactly thrilled by their return.
Gibson said it’s time for the county to ban the private use of fireworks. He said his concerns stem from the increased risk of fires like the 2017 Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge. The fire, which was started by a teen lighting fireworks, burned more than 50,000 acres and forced thousands of residents to be evacuated.
“Last year, we had one up in the Yacolt Burn area that swept all the way down into parts of eastern Clark County,” Gibson said, referring to the Nakia Creek Fire. “Why should one person’s enjoyment put everyone at risk?”
While Gibson said he understands why people enjoy fireworks, adding he also liked shooting them off as a kid, he noted the kinds of fireworks available now have changed, and so have weather conditions.
“Those were different times. Now we’re going through a trend of hot, dry weather right around that time of year when fireworks are sold and people use them. In my mind, whatever pleasure people derive from them is not worth the risk involved,” he said.
In years past, residents have also argued the noise from fireworks often stretches for weeks, well beyond the number of days allowed by each jurisdiction. That noise can be upsetting for those with post-traumatic stress disorder, especially veterans, and pets. A 2022 study of animal control agencies across the country found more dogs and cats go missing between July 4 and July 6 than any other time of the year.
However, Gibson said those are not the basis of his concerns.
“If people went to the Clark County website or wherever and found the commonsense rules for enjoying fireworks; if everybody followed that, there probably wouldn’t be an issue. But that’s not what we see going on,” Gibson added.
Typically, Clark County’s councilors receive a few letters and phone calls each year from residents urging them to either ban or limit the use of fireworks. But this year seems to be different.
District 5 Councilor Sue Marshall said she hasn’t received any phone calls, letters or emails related to fireworks. However, she said she expects some folks will weigh in on the matter as the July 4 holiday approaches.
Marshall, who owns and operates her family’s farm in Ridgefield, said she’s also concerned about allowing fireworks, especially as the Pacific Northwest seems to be getting hotter and drier during summer months.
“I am always thinking about the weather and soil moisture. With 27 acres of hazelnut trees, we have a lot to lose in a wildfire,” Marshall said. “I was delighted by our recent rainy day. If our likely weather outlook is continued hot and dry, the risk of fire from fireworks would be extreme and not worth that risk.”
However, Marshall said, any decision the council ultimately makes should be based on recommendations from the Clark County Fire Marshal’s office.
Councilor Gary Medvigy, who represents District 4, said the council’s past decisions to either allow or prohibit the use of fireworks were based on the fire marshal’s recommendations. The ban passed in the summer of 2021 is one example of how this process works, he said.
“The county burn season opens and closes every year at the direction of the fire marshal. The fireworks ban in the recent past was unusual, specific to the conditions and is a separate process that involves the county chair,” Medvigy said. “The chair could be advised by the fire marshal to make the emergency decision to vary from county code that allows sales and use during specific times. It is based on conditions that create an emergency to justify overriding code.”
Medvigy said the weather this summer isn’t raising any red flags, yet.
“So far, I have heard no concerns about the conditions as they exist today. That could certainly change with winds, temperatures and humidity,” he said.
Like Marshall, Medvigy said he hasn’t been contacted by residents this year either.
“I haven’t heard much from the public outside the occasional request to ban fireworks or instead to increase their available use. But, as of today, I haven’t heard any discussion from the fire marshal that would justify a ban based on existing conditions.”
When and where
The days and hours that fireworks are allowed varies within the county based on jurisdiction. They are as follows:
Amboy: 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 only.
Battle Ground: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3, and 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.
Camas: 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 only.
La Center: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. July 3, and 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.
Ridgefield: 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 only.
Vancouver: It is illegal to discharge fireworks within Vancouver city limits.
Washougal: 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 only.
Woodland: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 1-3, and 9 a.m. to midnight July 4.
Yacolt: 9 a.m. to midnight June 29 through July 4, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 5.
Unincorporated Clark County: 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 only.
Using fireworks outside of the allowed dates and times can result in civil fines starting at $500 per violation.
Safety first
Here are some important safety reminders from the Clark County Fire Marshal’s office:
Always have a bucket of water and water hose ready to douse any fire.
Assign a responsible adult to supervise fireworks use.
Use fireworks outdoors in a clear area away from buildings, vehicles and dry vegetation.
Never aim fireworks at people or structures.
Never attempt to alter fireworks or relight any that fail to ignite.
Place used fireworks in a bucket of water to soak overnight before disposing of them.
To report nuisance fireworks complaints, call the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency at 360-597-7888. Do not call 911 or 311 to report fireworks complaints.
Are they legal?
With the popularity of online sales of fireworks on the rise, along with the ability to purchase fireworks in other states and on tribal lands, buyers may not be aware their purchases are illegal in the state of Washington.
The fire marshal’s office recommends purchasing fireworks from a local licensed retailer familiar with state laws. Wherever fireworks are bought, be aware it is illegal to sell, possess or discharge firecrackers, salutes, chasers, skyrockets, bottle rockets, M-80s, M-1000s and homemade devices within the state, except on tribal lands.
Fines for possessing and/or using illegal fireworks can be steep; possession of illegal devices is a felony and may also violate state and federal explosive statutes.
