Know what fireworks are legal in your neighborhood this 4th of July
The United States of America is about to celebrate its 250th birthday, and parties will be held nationwide. This means lots of barbecues, baseball and apple pie. It also means use of fireworks, including some by intoxicated people.
Walla Walla County officials are asking that residents practice caution when enjoying fireworks.
The Walla Walla Fire Department reminded residents to keep fireworks away from children, only light one device at a time and then move back quickly, keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby, and never relight a firework that did not ignite.
While some fireworks are legal in Walla Walla County and each of its cities, specific laws vary based on location.
College Place follows the same laws as the state of Washington and Walla Walla County. Walla Walla has stricter laws.
Some forms of fireworks that are legal in the county are not legal in Walla Walla.
This includes parachutes, Roman candles, air spinners and helicopters, and cakes, shells and mines.
"Basically, in the city, it's anything that's going to go up in the air and go boom that is not permitted," Walla Walla Police Sgt. Logan Morris said. "We just urge people to understand the difference between the county and the city … and just make sure that you're launching the legal fireworks in your respective jurisdictions."
While the above items are legal in College Place and Walla Walla County, firecrackers, bottle rockets, explosive devices and skyrockets are illegal everywhere in the state.
Many fireworks sold in the county are not permitted in the city. This includes some fireworks sold at the Walla Walla County Fairgrounds.
Though the fairgrounds are located in the middle of the city of Walla Walla, because the site is officially part of the county, fireworks that are illegal in Walla Walla are allowed to be sold there.
Morris said July 4 is often a busy night for police, and officers have to prioritize which calls to respond to, and sometimes that might not be fireworks.
When police do arrive, Morris said they will focus on education.
"Generally, the practice is that we will provide the education piece, just letting them know, ‘Hey, this type of firework is illegal, and you can't do them within the city limits of Walla Walla,'" Morris said. "And then if we get continual calls for the same location for the same type of violation, they could face up to a $250 infraction. That is what is in the municipal code."
Morris also said to be selective of when to call 911.
"I would urge the public not to call 911 because of a fireworks complaint," he said. "And when I say fireworks complaint, I mean just because they're simply seeing a firework that may be illegal, do not call 911, because the Fourth of July is usually a higher crime night outside of the fireworks issue. And we do not want to inundate our 911 center with those firework types of calls."
However, he said if fireworks lead to an actual emergency, then a 911 call is warranted.
"If a fire has started because of fireworks or if someone blows their hand off, we want you to call 911 in those cases," he said.
In Walla Walla, legal fireworks are permitted to be set off only on July 4, and only from 9 a.m. to midnight.
In the county, fireworks may be discharged July 1-3 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight.
For those wanting to leave the discharging of fireworks to the professionals, the city of Walla Walla is hosting a display on July 4 at 10 p.m.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be held at Walla Walla Community College at 500 Tausick Way.
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