This year’s 4th of July holiday presented significant challenges due to high temperatures, extreme dry conditions and a very high threat of fire.
In response, both the cities of Snoqualmie and North Bend provided detailed public information warning of the hazards of fireworks during the record dry conditions, safety precautions to take if choosing to light fireworks, and information on legal and illegal fireworks.
Residents were strongly encouraged to avoid use of fireworks and seek alternatives to the normal fireworks related festivities. In the days leading up to the holiday, we observed little to no fireworks activity, which is usually seen this time of year. July 3rd was particularly quiet in both cities. Fireworks sales at our local stands appeared to be slow this year with conscientious citizens choosing not to purchase them.
On July 4th we had extra officers and firefighters on patrol in both cities. While both legal and illegal fireworks were discharged in many neighborhoods in both cities, the majority of residents took the warnings seriously and made the courteous decision not to discharge fireworks.
We would like to commend those residents for being considerate good neighbors. Fortunately, we are able to report there were no firework related fires or injuries reported within the cities of Snoqualmie and North Bend on this Independence Day.
Sincerely,
Mark Correira | Fire Chief, Snoqualmie Fire Department
Wes Collins | Deputy Chief, Eastside Fire and Rescue
Steven D. McCulley | Chief of Police Snoqualmie/ North Bend
Comments
It is great to see that many residents acted responsibly and did not discharge fireworks on July 4th. Unfortunately, on my street two neighbors ignored the requests of the fire department, the unusually dry conditions and common sense and set out discharging both legal and illegal fireworks. Thankfully the Snoqualmie Police Department arrived and put an end to it.
As the city council had voted to restrict our abilities to celebrate as we enjoy, we opted to go the apparently irresponsible and inconsiderate route and did light off fireworks (including aerials) this year. We had a great block party, no injuries, incidents or fires. I did restrict what I purchased to only things that went straight up (as opposed to a wide distribution) and nothing that brought down potentially smoldering shrapnel (no buzz bombs, etc.).
Had the city/community offered to extend the ban to allow aerials next year, I would’ve probably opted to hold off, however since the window of opportunity had already be set, I felt “forced” by the decisions of others to restrict how I choose to celebrate.
I resent in implication that I was inherently inconsiderate or a bad neighbor for choosing to light fireworks. All of our friends and neighbors seemed to enjoy themselves and as mentioned, we had no safety issues.