Here’s when and where 4th of July holiday fireworks are legal in Whatcom County, cities

With public July 4 celebrations in Bellingham and Blaine forced to cancel following the coronavirus outbreak, many Whatcom families will celebrate with fireworks at home on the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

But know the rules before you light that firework. Bellingham banned consumer fireworks in 2014 and violators face fines of up to $1,000.

Though stands may be set up already, under Washington law, they can only sell fireworks noon to 11 p.m. Sunday, June 28, and 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday, June 29, to Saturday, July 4.

In unincorporated Whatcom County, fireworks may only be discharged from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 3, and Sunday, July 5 and from 6 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 4. Only fireworks purchased at stands in the county may be used.

Other Whatcom cities have their own rules:

Blaine: Fireworks are allowed from 10 a.m. to midnight Saturday, July 4. Fireworks can not be set off in the area west of Shintaffer Road, Semiahmoo, the Blaine Harbor or in any public parks.

Everson and Nooksack: Fireworks are allowed from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Friday, July 3, and Sunday, July 5 and from 9 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 4.

Ferndale: Fireworks are allowed from 9 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 4.

Lynden: Fireworks are allowed from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1; Thursday, July 2; and Friday, July 3 and from 9 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 4, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday, July 5.

Sumas: The city follows statewide rules and allows fireworks from noon to 11 p.m. on Sunday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. Sunday, June 29, to Friday, July 3, and Sunday, July 5, and from 9 a.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 4.

Fireworks purchased on Indian reservations such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, missile-type rockets with fins, fireworks with sticks or fins that fly and large re-loadable mortar shells can’t be used off reservations.

M-80s, M-100s, tennis ball bombs and pipe bombs are considered improvised explosive devices and are illegal everywhere. Sky lanterns do not fall under the description of a firework, but are still regulated by the county fire code and can only be lit if they are tethered.

The Fire Marshall’s office has also warned people about buying fireworks online, as any internet sale of fireworks can not be shipped to a private residence or business. They can only be picked up at licensed firework stands and have to be legal wherever picked up.

For more statewide information, go to the Washington State Patrol’s website.

This story was originally published June 27, 2020 at 5:00 AM.