FIREWORKS

The Fourth of July holiday is always a busy day here in Bend. It is a day of parades, fun in the park, bar-be-que's and of course fireworks. The Bend Fire Department would like to remind you to keep the day safe and don't get burned with fireworks.

In the U.S. in 2006 alone there were nearly 10,000 people injured by fireworks and many of those were children. In that same year both legal and illegal fireworks caused 2,500 fires resulted in $39 million in property damages. Nationally and locally, Independence Day is the busiest day of the year for fire and police departments. The National Fire Protection Association states that "On Independence Day in a typical year, more U.S. fires are reported than on any other day, and fireworks account for half of those fires, more than any other cause of fires".

Below are links to various educational and safety publications related to fireworks:

Fireworks can be a fun way to celebrate the Fourth of July, here are some safety tips to keep the holiday safe and fun:

How to use Fireworks Safely (PDF Flyer)

In Oregon fireworks that fly, explode, shot flaming objects, or move across the ground more than 6 feet are considered illegal and can not be purchased or used in the state. Below is a description of fireworks, both legal and illegal for use in Oregon and Bend:
Legal and Illegal Fireworks (PDF Flyer)

To help reduce the illegal fireworks usage, Bend Fire and Police Departments will be teaming up and conducting patrols throughout the city on the 4th of July from 8pm to 11pm only. These patrols will be looking for illegal firework use. Persons found to be using illegal fireworks are subject to fines up to $1,113 and confiscation of all illegal fireworks. Citizens can call the Deschutes County 911 non-emergency line at 693-6911 if they see any illegal fireworks being used. Attached is full description of the program.

Fireworks Patrols