Fireworks fires fall in Portland, hold steady in Seattle

PORTLAND, Oregon (AP) – Preliminary figures from Portland Fire & Rescue in Oregon show fireworks caused by fireworks have decreased by nearly 80% this year, likely due to a firework ban on July 4th.

Fire officials said Tuesday that nine fires were caused by fireworks in Portland during this year’s fireworks season, compared with 44 last year, The Oregonian / OregonLive reported.

The fireworks season runs from June 23rd to July 6th. Portland Fire & Rescue called the ban “extremely effective” in a statement.

Drought conditions and high fire hazard caused cities across Oregon and southwest Washington to ban the use of fireworks during this year’s July 4th holiday.

In Seattle, where fireworks were illegal, authorities responded to 15 fires that caused an injury from June 28 through Tuesday, the Seattle Times reported.

There were 16 fireworks fires between June 28 and July 15, 2020, according to Seattle Fire Department spokesman David Cuerpo.

Fireworks are also banned in most of King County’s counties. This year is the last year they will be legal in unincorporated parts of the county. A preliminary count of the fireworks fires in King County and across the state is still being made, according to the Washington State Patrol.

In southwest Washington, Clark County Fire Department officials said a fireworks ban this year appeared to have resulted in 30% fewer holiday weekend fires, KGW-TV reported.