With most parts of the State of Washington experiencing varying levels of drought on the Fourth of July, firefighters are advising people to be cautious during their celebrations.
Seattle Fire received 58 calls related to fireworks in 2023. In 2022, the State Fire Marshal’s office reported over 500 cases of fireworks-related fires and injuries throughout the state.
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Ryan Rodruck, the Wildfire Communications Manager for the Washington Department of Natural Resources, notes that many fires often begin around the Fourth of July.
According to Rodruck, the best way to enjoy the holiday without any danger is to let the experts handle the fireworks. This year, there have been approximately 300 wildfires reported by the DNR, with two of them categorized as “large” and still ongoing in the state.
In the year 2023, the west side of the Cascades experienced a higher number of reported fires than the east side. This marked the first time such an occurrence had taken place.
DNR Commissioner Hilary Franz stated her belief that the recent fire outbreak was not a one-time incident. She anticipates that this is just the beginning and expects to see more fires occurring in the west of the Cascades, particularly in densely populated urban areas.
During his recent trip, Franz took the opportunity to visit the site where the McEwan Fire occurred in Mason County. This devastating fire broke out on the Fourth of July in 2020 and ravaged about 300 acres of land, eventually leading to the evacuation of nearby residents from their homes.
This summer, the charred trees stand in stark contrast to the long, growing green grass. However, Chief Jeff Snyder of Central Mason Fire & EMS is concerned that this lush greenery, coupled with recent moisture, will give people a false sense of security. With temperatures expected to rise over the weekend, Snyder fears that people may not take the necessary precautions to prevent fires.
Snyder stated that the fuels would be completely dried out by the end of the weekend.
While numerous cities and regions have prohibited the use of fireworks, Snyder recognizes that it may be challenging to prevent individuals from lighting them up. Nevertheless, he encourages people to take necessary precautions and ensure that they use fireworks safely.
Both he and the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) highly recommend keeping a hose nearby and ensuring that all fireworks are thoroughly soaked and doused in water to prevent any chance of reigniting. It is also crucial to avoid lighting fireworks near anything that could potentially catch fire, such as dry grass, trees, buildings, or homes.
According to the DNR, humans are responsible for almost 90% of wildfires. This statistic gives Franz a glimmer of hope that fire season could be controlled better in the future.
Snyder emphasized that if the fires are caused by human activities, then we have the ability to make a difference and stop them from occurring in the first place.
