‘Real safety concerns’ with high heat, illegal fireworks

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — While some will be celebrating freedom this Fourth of July, others will be breaking the law.

Due to increased wildfire risk and safety concerns, setting off fireworks is forbidden in Portland.

Local fire officials want to get the message out of firework safety so there isn’t a repeat of three years ago when three people died after fireworks set a Portland apartment complex on fire.

“Enjoy your Fourth but do so safely so we can all talk about the great Independence Day we had on July 5th rather than discussing a significant emergency incident that is completely preventable,” Portland Fire & Rescue said in a release.

Over the last several years, dozens of fires have started from fireworks in the area. Just last month, a family in Aloha nearly lost their home after someone lit fireworks catching several trees on fire in their backyard, officials said.

“Things are dry right now. We did have a bit of a wet spring, and we might have had a little shower recently. It’s still a lot of the fuels are dry, so that means a firework that gets away from you, especially if you’re lighting it near bushes and shrubs and grasses could catch fire very quickly,” said Stefan Myers with Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. “If we had a house fire that was suspected to be started by a firework, people can be liable for starting a fire. And that would be referred to law enforcement.”

If you are in an area that does not have a ban on fireworks but plan to set some off, Myers recommends having a bucket or hose, keeping a close eye on children, buying fireworks from a licensed vendor and keeping them away from dry shrubbery and trees.

“These things are real safety concerns, and people’s vigilance and self-awareness can make a huge impact,” Meyers said. “The sparklers that you see, those can get up to (1,000 degrees Fahrenheit). And so that can cause injury and burns.”

It’s the third consecutive year that personal fireworks are banned within Portland city limits. PF&R spokesperson Rick Graves said that citizens are encouraged to call the Portland Fire & Rescue Arson Information Line to report the use of illegal fireworks in the city: (503) 823-3473.

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