Clark County residents gearing up for Fourth of July celebrations will be able to get their hands on fireworks beginning Friday.
While fireworks remain banned within Vancouver city limits, they can be used in several other areas of the county from 9 a.m. to midnight July 4. Illegal use outside the allowed time frames can result in a $500 fine for first-time offenders. Other jurisdictions in Clark County have varying rules for fireworks.
Clark County has developed an online interactive map that outlines where fireworks are and aren’t allowed around the July Fourth holiday, as well as a safety guide for proper usage. The map, usage guide and specific rules in each Clark County jurisdiction can be found at clark.wa.gov/community-development/fireworks.
Donna Goddard, the county’s interim fire marshal, said she doesn’t have any major concerns about weather conditions that would make fireworks an especially dangerous presence this year.
“We rely on the State Department of Natural Resources to indicate whether there is any kind of high fire danger or drought-like conditions,” Goddard said. “I have received no information from them for Clark County that would indicate any concerns; in fact it’s listed as a low drought condition and low fire danger as we speak.”
The Clark County Council temporarily banned fireworks in 2021 amid an intense heat wave on the heels of a dry spring, citing the danger for wildfires. The county has no plans for such a ban this year.
“That doesn’t mean we shouldn’t be careful with choosing how to celebrate the Fourth. We need to make sure that folks are avoiding areas that have dry grass and vegetation,” Goddard said. “Be very aware of your surroundings.”
Clark County sees six to eight properties lost to fireworks fires each year, she said. In 2023, nearly $1 million in property damage was reported as a result of fires started by fireworks.
“Try not to be one of those statistics,” Goddard said. “We see a lot of fires where people will think the firework is no longer smoldering and they’ll put it in the garbage bin next to their home, and then in the middle of the night their house is on fire.”
Safety measures
As Goddard said, ideal weather conditions don’t lessen the importance of safety around fireworks usage. Here are reminders from the county:
- 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 an area away from buildings, vehicles and spectators.
- Avoid areas with dry grass or vegetation.
- Never aim fireworks at people or structures. Do not lean over fireworks when lighting them.
- Never attempt to alter fireworks or relight “duds” that fail to ignite.
- Place used fireworks in a bucket of water to soak overnight before disposing of them.
County officials also encourage residents to only purchase fireworks from licensed sellers that have been inspected by the fire marshal’s office.
Firecrackers, salutes, chasers, skyrockets, bottle rockets, M-80s, M-1000s or any homemade devices are illegal in the county.
Residents should also make sure pets are contained on and around July 4. Goddard, who also oversees Clark County Animal Control, said the agency sees an increase in missing animals around the holiday each year.
Complaints regarding fireworks use can be reported to Clark County Emergency Services Agency at 360-597-7888. The phone line will be in operation:
- 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. Wednesday, July 3.
- 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. Thursday, July 4.
- 7 p.m. to midnight Friday, July 5, and Saturday, July 6.
Fires and other emergencies should be reported to 911.
