Fireworks cause injuries and fires in Washington every year. According to the Washington State Fire Marshal`s Office, there were 237 fireworks-related injuries in 2020. The new rules align unincorporated areas on most neighboring king County towns and jurisdictions with fireworks bans set out in their books. Local authorities point out that 911 should only be used to report fireworks-related injuries or fires, but there are several ways to notify authorities of violations. New this year, residents of incorporated areas can complete an online form to report illegal fireworks to the King County Permit Division or by calling the King County Fireworks Hotline at 206-848-0800. Check the Pierce County website to see if and when fireworks are legal in your area. Although fireworks are allowed for consumers in more communities in Pierce County, shooting still has limitations and a number of cities ban them altogether. In recent years, Skyway has been a place for Residents of Renton and Seattle to bypass fireworks bans and light fireworks for July 4. To combat this, King County officials are implementing a three-year plan to crack down on fireworks in the area and other unincorporated locations. According to the Washington State Fire Marshal`s Office, the state`s fire departments, hospitals, and clinics reported 180 fireworks-related incidents in 2021, including 70 that left people injured and 110 that started fires. Officials said most of the incidents occurred on July 4.

The only fireworks that will remain legal in Unincorporated King County are “trick and novelty devices” such as snappers or “pop-its” and party or confetti poppers. Public fireworks are prohibited in all city, county and state parks, as well as in Fircrest, Greenwater, JBLM, Ruston, Steilacoom, Tacoma and Crystal Mountain parks. Many cities where they remain legal, such as Bonney Lake, Sumner, Lakewood and Puyallup, have restrictions that limit introduction to July 4 itself and before midnight. While major cities like Seattle have banned fireworks, some fireworks have remained legal in Skyway and other unincorporated areas. While skyway only allows a limited selection of fireworks, some revelers have interpreted this nuance as a license to blow fireworks at will, according to Girmay. The most common injuries or causes are: being hit by fireworks, holding or throwing them, turning them on or on again, and bending over fireworks. Explosives such as fireworks, bottled rockets, celestial rockets, and missiles are prohibited to consumers throughout Washington State except in tribal areas. Fireworks are also illegal for consumer use nationwide. To report that fireworks are being unloaded in a prohibited area, call the non-emergency Snohomish County number at 425-407-3999.

And if residents still want to enjoy the fireworks without using them directly, consider visiting a public exhibit (here`s a list of public exhibits in South King County, courtesy of South King Media). Many annual fireworks were cancelled last year due to the pandemic, but some of them are back up and running this year (please note mask and social distancing recommendations). The vast majority of King County cities also prohibit the use of personal fireworks, including Seattle, Bellevue, Renton, Redmond, Kirkland, and Issaquah. Few cities allow fireworks to be unloaded during a limited window: Mercer Island, Enumclaw, Auburn, Snoqualmie and Normandy Park. In 2019, a 70-year-old man died at the White Center with his two dogs after a house fire sparked by fireworks. KING COUNTY, Washington. The fourth of July is expected to be a little different this year for unincorporated King County. A ban on the use and sale of commercial fireworks comes into force. This includes not only fireworks from the air, but also sparks and smoke bombs. SEATTLE — Fireworks will be sold in parts of Washington state starting Tuesday, June 28. But many cities and counties have banned the sale or use of fireworks. Here`s what you need to know before July 4th.

In 2021, the Constantine Executive signed the ban banning the use and sale of fireworks to consumers, and state law required a year before the ban went into effect. However, this does not mean that people will be able to light fireworks without any effect. “We recognize and respect that there is a long tradition of individuals and families celebrating our nation`s independence with fireworks — just like our family,” said Dow Constantine, King County Director. “But in a county of 2.3 million people where many of our cities have already banned fireworks, it`s a necessary step to do the same in King County to ensure safety and prevent tragedies.” Veterans who suffer from PTSD off-duty live in fear that day. Pet owners are worried about their pets, McDermott said. People will be with pipes that keep their lawns and roofs moist to protect themselves from fireworks. In King County, a new ban on consumer fireworks for unincorporated communities went into effect this year, limiting the areas where they are allowed to a small handful. County officials have pointed to several wildfires sparked by fireworks in rural and unincorporated communities in recent years, including a fatal 2019 house fire at the White Center that falls under the new ban.

Other areas subject to the new restrictions include Skyway, Vashon Island, Snoqualmie Valley, Enumclaw Plateau and Greater Maple Valley. However, citing extremely dry conditions, the King County Fire Marshal urged King County residents not to use fireworks this year and emphasized safety and vigilance in case people still decide to unload them. For this year, consumer fireworks are still legal in unincorporated areas of King County from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4 and for New Year`s Eve from 6 p.m. to 1 a.m. on January 1, 2022, and the retail rules remain the same. Starting in 2022, the ban on fireworks in unincorporated areas of King County will take full effect, but will not take effect until 2023. District leaders had been discussing for years a ban on fireworks for consumers in unincorporated areas. In recent dry summers, there have been several wildfires in rural areas of the county, as well as several injuries caused by fireworks and other incidents in urban areas — including a house fire at the White Center in 2019 in which one person died.

Cities and counties often have more restrictive laws on fireworks. Due to a law passed in April this year, consumer fireworks, which are still considered legal under Washington state law — including sparks, smoking devices, fountains, spinners, rechargeable mortars, Roman candles and parachute fireworks — will be sold, illegally owned, purchased and unloaded in unincorporated areas of King County, including the Skyway-West Hill area, starting in 2022. “What happened at Skyway is that because all the nearby towns have already banned fireworks, it created a funnel effect where everyone came to that city or neighborhood to blow up their fireworks,” King County Council member Girmay Zahilay told the Emerald. “They believed that all fireworks were legal, although they were not.” A 14-year-old boy lost his left hand and injured his right hand while playing with fireworks on Monday. This is the first year that fireworks have been banned in unincorporated King County. For some, the news rules are a big change in their July 4 traditions. Unincorporated areas will not see fireworks stands. Residents are not allowed to light fireworks in their cul-de-sacs or backyard.

New this year, residents of Tacoma, Fife, Orting, Roy, Sumner and University Place can report illegal fireworks use through an online portal until 6 a.m. on Tuesday. Information transmitted online is made available to local law enforcement authorities electronically or by radio, where officers can decide whether or not to respond. “It`s up to us, as neighbours and community members, to ensure that no children go to the hospital, that no homes are burned and that no pets are lost in the name of the celebration,” said King County Council member Joe McDermott. “We can have fun and protect each other by holding fireworks in our neighborhood and in the hands of professionals who can deliver a fantastic and inspiring show to everyone.” People can report online that fireworks are set off between 6 p.m. Friday and Tuesday at 6 a.m. Here is a link. The same homes on SW 26th Avenue around the corner of 104th Street that set off fireworks at every Seahawks game disappeared all day. It will be the first holiday on July 4 when fireworks will be banned in unincorporated King County — including the White Center area — and officials want to remind residents that the use and sale of fireworks is not allowed for consumers.