Firefighters Urge People to Attend Public Fireworks Display

Wildfire is a big concern for area firefighters as we approach the 4th of July. Fireworks are banned in many cities including the city of Yakima and in the unincorporated areas of Yakima County.
Yakima Fire Department officials says it's a good reason to attend a large public fireworks display like the 4th of July event at State Fair Park this year. Public displays are also planned in Granger, Selah and Sunnyside.
Fireworks purchased on the reservation are legal only for tribal members on tribal lands.
Police say it's also against the law to shoot guns on the 4th of july. They say the bullets go and up must come down and they can hurt or kill people or animals and damage property.
Fireworks are allowed under certain restrictions in Granger, Mabton, Moxee and Zillah.

Fireworks sales begin statewide on Friday but not in the city of Yakima.
A news release from the Yakima County Fire Marshal's office says many are injured every year by fireworks.

"In 2018, Washington State had 301 fireworks-related injuries and/or fires, this is a 13% reduction from the 2017 total of 345. Of the 301 reports received, there were 209 injuries, 92 fires and over $161,475 in property loss. The leading types of injuries reported were trauma at 44% and burns at 43%. Traumatic injuries consisting of at least two injuries to different areas of the body occurred in 93% of the total.
The leading cause of fireworks-related injuries is “Hit by Debris” at 43% and “Holding fireworks in hands” at 42%."