Sales of fireworks begins

Sales of fireworks, which start today in Clark County, generate an annual revenue of about $4 million. While debates continue between residents and public officials about whether fireworks are a lauded tradition or hazard to health and property, local fireworks aficionados will trek to sellers with names like Mean Gene, Bomber Brothers, TNT, Blackjack and Dynamite.

The sale and use of fireworks is illegal within Vancouver city limits, with fines starting at $500 for those who flout the law. Twenty-three citations were issued last year.

Other areas in Clark County have varying rules for fireworks use.

Fireworks are legal from 9 a.m. to midnight July 4 in Amboy, Camas, Ridgefield, Washougal and unincorporated Clark County. Battle Ground allows fireworks from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. July 3 and 9 a.m. until midnight July 4. La Center allows fireworks from 9 a.m. until 10 p.m. July 3 and 9 a.m. until midnight July 4.

Yacolt allows fireworks from 9 a.m. until midnight Sunday through July 4 and from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. July 5.

For more information about fireworks in Clark County, visit clark.wa.gov/community-development/fireworks. The site features an interactive map highlighting where fireworks are allowed, as well as safety tips on discharging legal fireworks.

Hoping for a busy year Gene Marlow, owner of Mean Gene’s Fireworks, has been selling fireworks in Clark County for about 25 years.

“We’re hoping it’s going to be quite busy this year, especially with the recent rains,” said Marlow, who has fireworks locations in Hazel Dell and Orchards.

Many of the items that Mean Gene’s sells are aerial fireworks; they’re like a “home version of the big fireworks shows,” Marlow said.

His most popular seller is the mortar pack. You drop an explosive cannister in a tube, he said, and it shoots up a couple hundred feet in the air, making a beautiful display in the sky.

Marlow said prices will increase a little this year because of the tariffs on China, where
more than 90 percent of the fireworks are made. He said he plans to ease the sticker shock by offering discounted prices today
and Sunday.

Marlow said he doesn’t know of any business other than fireworks that brings in so much revenue from Oregon. He estimated that about half his buyers are Oregonians. The dollars they spend go straight to local causes and charities,
Marlow said,
including drug- and alcohol-free graduation parties, the Humane Society for Southwest Washington and the local chapter of Relay for Life.

“We’re happy to give back as long as they continue to allow us to operate,” Marlow said.

Fire agencies staffing up

People should have fun with fireworks, said David Schmitke, spokesman for Clark County Fire District 6, but be responsible and respectful, showing extra consideration to veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder.

Still, Schmitke knows that there will be trouble, he said, as there is every Independence Day.

“Can you think of any other holiday going into it knowing that there’s going to be property damage, there’s quite likely going to be personal, physical damage, and we’re OK with it?” Schmitke said.

His agency is staffing up to respond to fires and injuries. He said he expects fire engines to leave the station about 7 p.m. July 4 and not return until 1 a.m.

“It’s just common sense. You’ve got something flying through the air that’s on fire, and we’re entering the driest time of year,” said Schmitke, who said he’ll probably be home trying to keep his dog calm.

Schmitke’s plans for Fourth of July illustrate what many animal owners already know: Pets need extra care on this holiday.

National animal-welfare organization Best Friends Animal Society offered these tips in a recent news release:

• Don’t bring pets to parades or fireworks displays and keep them indoors in a relatively quiet, familiar space.
• Make sure pets are wearing identification tags or have microchips with up-to-date contact details, in case they get scared and bolt.
• Clean up discharged fireworks immediately, because they contain chemicals and heavy metals toxic to pets.

County guidelines direct people to put discharged fireworks in a bucket of water overnight. Then put them in a bag before putting them in the garbage — not the recycling bin. Dump the water into grass or dirt, not on pavement or into the street, where fireworks residue could end up in the storm drain and local waterways.

Nuisance fireworks complaints

Last year’s 1,013 calls to the Clark Regional Emergency Services Agency’s fireworks hotline suggest the county’s safety reminders are necessary.

CRESA spokesman Andrew Hahn encourages residents to call 360-597-7888 to report illegal or unsafe use of fireworks. The hotline will be open from 7 p.m. to midnight July 3; 7 p.m. July 4 to 1 a.m. July 5; and 7 p.m. to midnight July 5. Residents also can report nuisance fireworks at
cresa.wa.gov/contact/online-reporting/reporting-fireworks-complaints. Don’t call 911 unless there’s a fire, injury or safety threat.

Always have a bucket of water or garden hose ready to extinguish fires, according to county guidelines. Discharge fireworks outdoors and away from buildings, cars and vegetation. Never aim fireworks at people or structures.

Never relight “duds” that won’t light the first time.

Don’t make your own fireworks — that’s illegal, as are firecrackers, skyrockets, bottle rockets, M-80s, M-1000s, salutes (which produce a loud bang) and chasers (a ground-based firework with unpredictable movement). Possession of illegal devices is a felony and could also run afoul of state and federal statutes.

“Make sure this season, you keep all 10 fingers,” Hahn said.

Monika Spykerman: 360-735-4556; [email protected]