Fourth of July safety stressed

Published 9:00 pm Thursday, June 30, 2005

The weather forecast is for clouds and temperatures in the high 60s, but fire officials are still wary of fireworks-related injuries or fires this July 4 weekend.

With a statewide drought and plenty of vegetation that has sprouted thanks to a wet spring, deputy state fire marshal Karen Jones has a warning of her own: The celebration can turn to tragedy if people aren’t careful.

“There’s a lot of timber and small pieces of trees out there,” she said. “The danger is just very high.”

Also, a low water table this year means ground will dry quickly. Jones said that means both rural and urban residential areas are at high risk.

Jones, a fire prevention educator, said there were 1,100 fireworks-related incidents in the state last year. Those included 59 fires and 33 injuries in Snohomish County. About half occurred on July 4, she said.

The majority of fireworks-related blazes occur in residential areas, Jones said, adding that the close proximity of homes makes fireworks even more dangerous.

“If you can’t see where it will land, then don’t use” the firework, she said.

Rural areas should be prepared for fires as well.

Because the state has had years of drought, two months of rain won’t put the moisture back in the dry trees and logs, said Marc Titus, a fire prevention coordinator for the state Department of Natural Resources.

“We want everyone to enjoy the long weekend in Washington’s state forests and public lands,” Commissioner of Public Lands Doug Sutherland said in a statement. “But just because of some recent rain, it’s not a guarantee a spark or flame won’t spread.”

Jones said she prefers people to attend any of the 100-plus public fireworks displays that will be held across the state on Monday. But for those who celebrate on their own, she said: “If you use fireworks, restrict yourself to just the Fourth of July. That will certainly help.”

Reporter Chris Collins: 425-339-3436 or ccollins@heraldnet.com.