News - Local News

POSTED: Thursday, Jun. 25, 2009

Whatcom County officials urge safety, legal use of fireworks

The Fourth of July is a time for celebration, but it is also a time when local law enforcement agencies put out emphasis patrols to ensure everyone celebrates safely.

The Whatcom County Fire Marshal's office will partner with the sheriff's office in confiscating illegal fireworks and educating the public about fireworks safety, said Warner Webb, county fire marshal.

The emphasis patrols will include responses to noise complaints, Webb said.

A few days before and after the Fourth of July, the sheriff's office tends to receive a lot of complaints from people who have "had it up to their eyeballs" with the sound of fireworks, Webb said.

Owning or possessing illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor charge, and anyone found with such fireworks could receive a sizable citation, Bellingham Police spokesman Mark Young said.

Bellingham Police also will have extra officers on patrol during the holiday, Young said.

Most fires during Independence Day are created by bottle rockets, which is why they are illegal, he said. However, most injuries are from a legal type of firework - sparklers - making safety all the more important during the holiday.

The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend the shows put on by professionals, Webb said.

Two such shows are Bellingham's Haggen Family 4th of July Celebration at Zuanich Point Park and Blaine's Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration at Semiahmoo Bay. Both events feature daylong activities including music, children's activities, food, and arts and crafts.

Here's more information on when you can set off fireworks and what's legal.

FIREWORKS REGULATIONS

Fireworks can be used only during the following times in Bellingham and Whatcom County:

In Bellingham:

July 4: 9 a.m. to midnight.

In Whatcom County:

June 28: noon to 11 p.m.

June 29 to July 3: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

July 4: 9 a.m. to midnight.

July 5: 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.

LEGAL OR NOT?

Legal fireworks (except where noted):

Sparkler: Stick or wire coated with material that produces sparks.

Cylindrical fountain: Tubes that produce a shower of colored sparks and sometimes a whistling effect. May have a spike to secure it in the ground, or it may have a plastic or wooden base.

Cone fountain: Cardboard or heavy paper cone that has a shower of colored sparks.

Illuminating torch: Cylindrical tube that produces colored flames.

Wheel: Pyrotechnic device attached to a post or tree with a nail. Each wheel may have up to six driver units containing pyrotechnics. When lit, the wheel spins and creates a shower of sparks.

Ground spinner: A small device similar to a wheel in design and effect, placed on the ground and ignited. The device spins and makes a shower of sparks and colors.

Flitter sparkler: A narrow paper tube that produces color and sparks when the paper tip is lit.

Mine/shell: Heavy cardboard or paper tube attached to a wooden or plastic base. When lit, stars or other devices fly into the air while the tube remains on the ground. These are illegal in Bellingham.

Smoke devices: Tube or sphere that produces white or colored smoke.

Helicopter aerial spinner: A tube that has a propeller or blade attached that lifts the rapidly spinning device into the air. A visible or audible effect is produced at the height of flight.

Roman candle: A heavy paper or cardboard tube that shoots "stars" out the end in intervals. Roman candles with more than 10 stars are illegal in Bellingham.

Legal fireworks on tribal land only:

Firecracker: A small paper-wrapped or cardboard tube with up to 50 milligrams of pyrotechnics that explode in a bang and flash.

Missiles: A tube with small fins that flies when lit.

Bottle rocket: A tube with a long stick protruding from the end that guides and stabilizes the device. When lit, it flies into the air and explodes.

Illegal fireworks:

M-80s or larger: A large firecracker that traditionally holds up to 3 grams of pyrotechnic powder.

Dynamite: Highly explosive and usually used for construction, mining and demolition.

Homemade or altered devices: Examples include tennis bombs, cherry bombs, pipe bombs and sparkler bombs.