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 Communities in Washington state and Oregon have imposed restrictions
or outright bans on fireworks, while Cupertino, California, joined
Alaska's largest city of Anchorage in canceling signature fireworks
shows because of drought concerns.
The massive blazes that have marked an early start to the fire
season, along with forecasts for scorching weather during the Fourth
of July weekend, also have led police to crack down on illegal
pyrotechnics sales, and lawmakers have issued stern warnings.
"I suggest to show our patriotism, fly U.S. flags, not fireworks,"
said Erin Janssens, Fire Chief in Portland, Oregon.
In Alaska, where 26 large wildfires and hundreds of smaller ones
were burning on Thursday, bans on fireworks were in place in
Anchorage, the southern Alaska town of Houston, near where a
7,200-acre (2,910 hectares) blaze destroyed 55 homes, and in
Fairbanks, where smoke from nearby fires inundated the city, leaving
layers of ash on cars.
The news is not all bad for fireworks enthusiasts on July 4,
however.
Light rains and cooler temperatures in Alaska midweek prompted the
state fire marshal to lift several fireworks sales bans.
Pyrotechnics shows were still planned in Los Angeles, San Francisco
and other parts of drought-stricken California, though many
communities have laws against the use of large fireworks by
amateurs.
Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer said this month he has filed
criminal cases against fireworks suppliers and seized more than 700
pounds (320 kg) of illegal and dangerous fireworks.
Accidents can still happen despite precautions. On Thursday, a
fireworks-stocked truck ignited on a busy freeway connecting Los
Angeles with Las Vegas, spraying sparks and stopping traffic, local
media cited state police as saying. There were no injuries.
In some states, the restrictions were initially imposed for safety
reasons, but this year officials are also citing the risk of fire in
drought-parched areas.
In Sacramento, municipal lawmaker Susan Peters told residents to
eschew big airborne fireworks, which could spit sparks onto rooftops
and dry brush, in favor of products certified as "safe and sane."
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California bans unlicensed sale and use of firecrackers, skyrockets,
Roman candles, chasers and sparklers more than 10 inches (25 cm)
long or a quarter of an inch in diameter, among others.
"Safe and sane" fireworks are usually considered to be smaller
sparklers, ground-spinners and others that do not explode or fly.
In Washington state, which has already seen more than 300 wildfires
so far this year following the worst fire season on record in 2014,
Governor Jay Inslee urged "an extraordinary amount of caution" on
Thursday before saying he lacks the authority under state law to
declare a statewide fireworks ban.
In Seattle, while sporadic booms and crackles could be heard on
weeknights this week, all fireworks but small exploding caps are
banned, with potential penalties of up to a year in jail and a
$5,000 fine, police said.
"But don't fret, fireworks fans! You can still enjoy the fireworks
at SeaFair's 4th of July event on Lake Union!" police said,
referring to a festival downtown.
In Oregon, where eight large fires were burning on Thursday,
Governor Kate Brown encouraged residents to go further than bans on
bottle rockets, roman candles, and machine-gun-sounding
firecrackers.
"I encourage Oregonians to be aware and considerate of our state's
natural beauty, neighbors, and pets before deciding on when and
where you choose to light fireworks," Brown said.
(Reporting by Shelby Sebens in Portland, Oregon; Steve Quinn in
Juneau, Alaska; Dan Whitcomb in Los Angeles; and Sharon Bernstein in
Sacramento, California; Writing and additional reporting by Eric M.
Johnson in Seattle; Editing by Ken Wills)
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