Summary

The King County Fire Marshal and King County fire agencies are urging residents to attend one of the many professional public fireworks displays during the Fourth of July weekend instead of lighting off their own fireworks.

Story

King County fire agencies are urging residents to attend one of the many professional public fireworks displays during the Fourth of July weekend. Prolonged dry weather and below average spring rainfall have cured grass and vegetation growth, creating high fire danger nearly six weeks earlier than normal. Last year in King County, fire agencies responded to nearly 200 fire calls with 82 of them related to fireworks, as reported in the 2014 Washington State Fire Marshal report.

While it is not advisable to light fireworks, follow the three B's - Be Prepared, Be Safe, and Be Responsible. Retail fireworks go on sale June 28 through July 4 and in those communities that allow fireworks, discharge is limited to July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. only.

For more information, visit the King County Department of Permitting and Environmental Review Fire Marshal website or the Washington State Fire Marshal website. If you would like to find a display near you, go to the Washington State Fire Marshal website and click on Public Fireworks Events by City for a list.