With the Fourth of July approaching, Vancouver Fire Marshal Heidi Scarpelli and Fire Chief Brennan Blue would like to remind residents that it is illegal to use, possess or sell fireworks of any kind within the Vancouver city limits.
The city’s ban is on all fireworks, including Class C “safe and sane” fireworks like sparklers, fountains, ground-spinning fireworks and smokeballs. It is also illegal to buy fireworks elsewhere and then transport them into the city.
Violators may be cited, with the minimum fine starting at $500. This Fourth of July weekend, please call 360-597-7888 to report the illegal use of fireworks. Help first responders prioritize preserving lives and property by only calling 911 to report if you witness or see something on fire or if there is a medical or life-threatening emergency.
“Public safety agencies spend an extraordinary amount of resources responding to fireworks-related incidents, which can have a negative effect on the response time for other life-threatening emergency calls for service,” said Scarpelli. “Compounding the problem is the very high risk for wildfires right now, which are easily sparked by fireworks as the devastating Eagle Creek Fire in the Columbia River Gorge proved in 2017.”
Fireworks laws vary throughout Clark County. Visit https://clark.wa.gov/code-administration/fireworks to view an interactive map of current fireworks laws by location.
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