Fourth of July brings high fire risks, Portland Fire and Rescue says

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) – Though temperatures are cooler than in recent years, fire officials are warning that the risk for fire is still high ahead of Independence Day.

Just this week, Portland Fire and Rescue responded to a blaze started with fireworks. They have also responded to multiple brush fires already this summer that were not fireworks-related, PF&R said. While the temperatures are not as warm this year, Rick Graves with PF&R said the threat of fire is still great.

“Regardless of our ambient temperature, we’ve got dry conditions,” he said. “We also have tall vegetation that’s ready to go. So there’s no need to have an additional strain and stress as a result of someone using personalized fireworks for their enjoyment.”

If you’re planning to grill outside, Graves said to be aware. Do not leave your barbecue close to a structure or under a tree, and never leave it unattended.

Lillian Hergenhan lives next to what was the Heidi Manor apartment complex. On the Fourth of July four years ago, a firework left in the trash sparked a blaze that killed three people and destroyed the building. She said every time she hears a firework, the memories rush back.

“I was just walking in my neighborhood and I started to hear them, and I had like, I went into panic mode, because it was horrific to see this fire and then also hear fireworks still going on around,” she said. “And, you know, you also hear like, fire alarms going off. It’s really scary.”

Graves said people need to consider these consequences, even if they live in a city where fireworks are legal.

“It does not take much,” he said. “One tiny, little green, colorful spark going off the cone that smells like sulfur right into the dry grass. And next thing you know, the fields going, they’re just not safe, even if your community permits them. I don’t really advocate for it.”

This week, officials launched an online fireworks reporting line for anyone in the Multnomah County area. The hope is to avoid overloading 911 with calls. Since going live at 1:00 Tuesday morning, they have already gotten almost 500 reports.

“It’s allowing us to see hotspots, which we’ve seen,” Graves said. “There’s some concentrated spots that might allow us in the future to do a better job of either education or maybe having the ability to focus, enforcement in those hotspots areas.”

Graves said if you’ve bought fireworks and want to return them now, you can take them to any PF&R station where they will hold onto them and safely deal with them after the holiday.