PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — Friendly reminder to Portlanders planning their Fourth of July celebrations: the sale and use of personal fireworks are prohibited within city limits.
This is the third consecutive year they have been banned to mitigate wildfire risk, according to Portland Fire and Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves.
Despite the ban, PF&R responded to more than 50 fire calls throughout the Fourth of July last year. Graves estimated this was because of fireworks sales occurring elsewhere. Portland leaders plan to penalize residents who purchase fireworks outside of the city and light them in the area.
“If members of the public are found to have ignited fireworks for personal use and injury or destruction of property occurs, the Fire Investigation Unit of PF&R and PPB will actively work to determine [the] cause, and parties responsible will be held accountable through the legal system,” Graves said.
According to KOIN 6 Meteorologist Josh Cozart, the region has seen “beneficial moisture” throughout the month of June. In the coming weeks, the Climate Prediction Center is forecasting near-normal temperatures with “slightly wetter than average conditions” — which could be good for the permitted Fourth of July displays.
“However, it all comes down to the weather the day of the event,” Cozart said. “If the fireworks display is planned on a day that is dry, warm or windy, that fire threat increases regardless of how much rain has fallen over the Pacific Northwest.”
Officials still permit professional fireworks displays, with the most popular one slated for the Waterfront Blues Festival beginning on Thursday, July 4.
