Multnomah County banned the sale and use of all fireworks within unincorporated areas of the county Thursday evening. The ban takes effect immediately and will last for 30 days.
“We recognize that this ban may be disruptive to businesses and non-profit organizations that have been selling, or plan to sell, fireworks, as well as Fourth of July plans,” Multnomah County Chair Deborah Kafoury said in a press release Thursday. “The declaration is in place to protect the safety of Multnomah County residents and reduce the chances of devastating fires. We encourage residents to find alternative ways to celebrate.”
The county cited the unusually dry conditions and high risk of fire danger as reason for the ban. Governor Kate Brown placed Oregon under a state of emergency Wednesday due to the threat of wildfires.
Anyone who violates the ban will be fined up to $500. The Multnomah County Sheriff’s department will increase patrols to enforce the ban.
“While the declaration does allow law enforcement agencies to issue penalties, Multnomah County Sheriff’s deputies will be taking an education-first approach,” Sheriff Mike Reese said.
The county ban comes a day after Mayor Ted Wheeler banned the sale and use of fireworks in Portland. The county ban means that Portland-area residents won’t be able to skirt the mayor’s ban by leaving city-limits and setting off fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county.
Portland Fire & Rescue also placed a ban on fireworks earlier this week and will be investigating all fires with a possible connection to fireworks.
At Waterfront July 4th fireworks show I’ve imagined as a battlefront, east versus west. This pretense began at a show years ago when an hour before dark, I noticed a firecracker pop! was met with a matching pop! from the other side. The accelerating back and forth crackle! fizz! Whrrr! Pop! would lead to the explosive battle between east and west. And when the climatic finale of fireworks reached its crescendo and abrupt silence fell, I’d cheer with everyone that no one died in a pretense of enmity and mortal battle.