How to celebrate Independence Day the legal way in Thurston County

Community Fourth of July festivities are canceled in Thurston County this year, replaced with virtual shows and small events.

For those wishing to enjoy the traditional experience with loud and colorful explosions, it’s important to know the local ordinances governing the use of fireworks in the county.

The cities of Lacey, Olympia and Tumwater ban all fireworks, from sparklers to mortars, from personal use. Smaller, non-explosive, novelty fireworks like glow worms, snakes and party poppers are allowed in the three cities and the county.

Thurston County allows the discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas so long as they follow Washington state law, but the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office (TCSO) urges people to be safe and smart if they choose to celebrate America’s birthday with fireworks.

“People need to be mindful of their neighbors,” said Thurston County Sheriff’s Office Lieutenant Ray Brady. Each Fourth of July, TCSO gets hundreds of calls from people about fireworks going off near their homes. Due to the sheer volume of calls, officers will only respond to calls where life or property are at risk. “We just don’t have the resources to to respond to all the complaints,” Brady told The Olympian.

If fireworks are being set off near you, but the safety of other living things and property is not at risk, call your local police department’s non-emergency line to complain.

In a press release, the city of Tumwater urged its residents not to dial 911 to report the illegal use of fireworks. “Reducing the number of noise and illegal fireworks complaints to 911 will allow emergency calls to be answered as quickly as possible. To report the sale or discharge of fireworks in Tumwater, call 360-704-2740. Call 9-1-1 to report a fire or injury.”

Brady believes that because of the pandemic shutting down the state for much of the past three months, tensions might be running high and “could lead to some pretty explosive situations, no pun intended.” He urges all those who plan to set off fireworks to be courteous and respectful of their neighbors and surroundings.

Many veterans affected by PTSD don’t have the same enthusiasm for loud, fiery, explosives as their neighbors do and owners of frightened dogs also are unlikely to be patient with fireworks set off nearby.

Which fireworks CAN be set off and where

Much of Thurston County is unincorporated and unburdened by statutes limiting fireworks use, following only Washington state fireworks laws which are laid out in sections of RCW 70.77. Bucoda, Rainer, Tenino and Yelm all follow state fireworks law, as well, which allows for fireworks sales and discharge starting June 28 at noon to 11 p.m., then from June 29 to July 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., on the fourth fireworks may be used from 9 a.m. to midnight. The last day Washington State permits summer fireworks use is July 5 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m., Thurston county ends its fireworks use period one day earlier, on July 4.

State law allows for the use of consumer fireworks such as fountains, roman candles, cakes, mortars, sparklers, smoke bombs, novelty fireworks and parachutes along with several other ground fireworks. Rocket, missile and modified fireworks are banned from use in most of the United States except for tribal land.

The fireworks that are allowed for personal use can be set off in unincorporated Thurston County, which is anywhere on the map in white. If you are in one of the many residential areas of unincorporated Thurston, be sure to check with local homeowners associations to make sure your celebration is allowed.

Those who plan to travel outside of Thurston County for festivities will need to follow the laws laid out by whichever county or municipality you visit. Washington State Patrol has a list of local ordinances for each county and town in Washington, or consult the Municipal Research and Services Center (MRSC) website.

If you plan to head to one of Washington’s state parks or beaches, know that all personal fireworks are banned in all state parks, including beach state parks.

Coastal towns such as Oceans Shores and Long Beach, which canceled their usual fireworks shows this year, only allow personal fireworks use on small sections of their beaches.

The state Parks Department recommends that those heading to the beach have a plan B location in the event of overcrowding on the dunes.

Those who bring their own fireworks and park on the beach need to make sure to clean up and leave before 12:30 a.m. on July 5, when high tide roles in. The ocean will move up about 8 to 10 feet on the coast, and will wash debris into the sea. Much of Washington’s southwest coast is part of a seashore conservation area that stretches 62-miles from the mouth of the Columbia River to Damon Point in Ocean Shores and must be protected, according a press release sent out by State Parks.

Cancellations bring opportunity for tribal fireworks sellers

Many of Thurston County’s and other counties’ firework shows have been canceled this year because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The Olympian wrote about the ways Thurston County towns will be celebrating the fourth this year in lieu of fireworks.

However, the canceled events have brought more business to tribal fireworks sellers in the county.

Irene McCloud helps her father sell fireworks from their stand, Farron Fireworks, in the Boomtown fireworks selling area down the street from the Red Wind Casino near Yelm. Boomtown is where Nisqually people have been selling fireworks for years. COVID-19 threatened the market from opening this year, but tribal leaders decided to open the location with half the usually vendors after consulting with the community.

“We’re having a better year sales wise,” said McCloud. The decrease in vendor booths makes for less competition for the 29 that are selling this year. And with extra safety precautions taken, such as hanging Plexiglass dividers in the booths and a mask requirement for vendors, shoppers feel comfortable buying in the open air market.

Marcus Stolte, another Boomtown booth operator said that while the season started later than usual — on June 26, rather than June 20 — “people are coming out to buy their fireworks.”

The most popular fireworks have been mortars and cakes, said McCloud. She also noted that family packs with a variety of fireworks, from sparklers to mortars, have been moving fast.

Edit: A previous version of this article said that missile and rocket-type fireworks are illegal throughout the whole United States. This is not true. while most of the U.S. bans such fireworks, states like Iowa allow for their discharge.

A previous version of this article had an incomplete list of dates and hours for fireworks use in Washington State, showing only the dates during Fourth of July weekend when fireworks could be used.

This story was originally published July 2, 2020 at 2:13 PM.