Portland's fireworks ban isn't just for Fourth of July
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Tents selling everything legal in the state have already popped up on the edge of town. Photo: Emily Harris/Axios
This July 4 is Portland's fourth Independence Day with no street fireworks allowed — no sparklers, no bottle rockets and no mortars. But the big public displays are still a go on the Willamette, at the Waterfront Blues Festival and Oaks Park, and there are plenty of other fun things to do.
Why it matters: Flaming things that go up also come down. The reasons cited for Portland's ban include fires started by fireworks, injuries, and the stress booms can cause pets and also to people traumatized by war.
Flashback: Portland first banned the sale and use of consumer fireworks in 2021, but just for the two weeks around July 4. In 2022, the City Council outlawed them year-round.
- The number of fires dropped with the ban on fireworks.
- In 2020, half the 36 fires in Portland on July 4 were caused by fireworks, according to Portland Fire and Rescue.
- On July 4, 2021, the share dropped to 10% of 31 fires, and in 2022 it was 14% of 20 fires.
- In the 2023 fireworks season, 46 out of 336 were caused by fireworks, per Fire and Rescue data shared with Axios.
Reality check: While fireworks aren't for sale in Portland anymore, tents selling everything legal in the state have already popped up on the edge of town — some just blocks from city borders.
- Churches and sports teams are among groups that raise money by selling fireworks.
Of note: Fireworks that "fly in the air, explode, or behave in an uncontrolled and unpredictable manner" aren't allowed anywhere in Oregon without a permit.
Meanwhile, in addition to public firework displays, Hillsboro, Maywood Park and other neighborhoods put on parades. And Bob's Red Mill has $7 burgers, live music and baby goats.
- Wanna get away? Hood River and Sandy are among towns putting on firework displays, while Cannon Beach is marketing itself as a place for a "firework-free" Fourth.
Details: Police and fire officials can confiscate fireworks and cite and fine users — Oregon law allows fines up to $2,500 — and will investigate fires caused by fireworks, Fire and Rescue spokesperson Rick Graves told Axios.
- Emergency officials ask people to call 911 only to report fires or injuries — not people setting off illegal fireworks. Instead, the city fire marshal says to report online or take notes and call the non-emergency line later.
Zoom out: Across the country, just one state — Massachusetts — bans fireworks altogether. Oregon is among a minority of states that restrict them.
- Some places are using drones for lit-up flying entertainment.