PORTLAND, Ore. ( KOIN ) — Friendly reminder to Portlanders planning their Fourth of July celebrations: the sale and use of personal fireworks are prohibited within city limits.
This is the third consecutive year they have been banned to mitigate wildfire risk, according to Portland Fire and Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves.
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Despite the ban, PF&R responded to more than 50 fire calls throughout the Fourth of July last year. Graves estimated this was because of fireworks sales occurring elsewhere. Portland leaders plan to penalize residents who purchase fireworks outside of the city and light them in the area.
“If members of the public are found to have ignited fireworks for personal use and injury or destruction of property occurs, the Fire Investigation Unit of PF&R and PPB will actively work to determine [the] cause, and parties responsible will be held accountable through the legal system,” Graves said.