Firework stands have been popping up all over Clallam County in the past week.
By Saturday, fireworks violations already were showing up on police dispatch logs in Port Angeles and Sequim.
The statewide legal fireworks season opened Thursday, when fireworks stands opened for business, and setting off fireworks has been legal since then throughout the county expect within the Port Angeles city limit.
Legal fireworks are known as “consumer fireworks” said Chief Criminal Deputy Ron Cameron of the Clallam County Sheriff’s Office, and do not include firecrackers, bottle rockets or sky rockets.
These illegal fireworks cause traumatic injuries and are prone to starting fires, he said.
Cameron explained that explosive items such as M-80s and larger, “cherry bombs” and “tennis ball bombs” are not fireworks.
Sold as fireworks, they are actually explosives and are powerful enough to cause life-altering injuries or even death, he said.
Port Angeles has the strictest policy on fireworks in Clallam County, allowing fireworks from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. only on the Fourth of July.
“It’s the same as it always has been,” said Deputy Police Chief Brian Smith.
Fireworks are not allowed at City Pier, on Hollywood Beach or on the Waterfront Trail.
Police will be allowing nothing beyond the normal “safe and sane” fireworks sold from approved firework stands.
Sequim
This year, the Sequim High School football field parking lot will be blocked off and not available for public use for fireworks, said Sgt. Dave Campbell of the Sequim Police Department.
Sequim doesn’t have set hours for fireworks use, but the city’s noise ordinances do apply to loud fireworks.
Campbell said there will be some leeway given, but not past midnight.
Forks
Like Sequim, the city of Forks has no set hours for daily fireworks, but within the city limit, those setting off fireworks late at night can be subject to noise ordinances, said Rod Fleck, Forks city attorney and planner.
Residents of Forks have until noon Friday to finish setting off their leftover fireworks, Fleck said.
Elsewhere in county
Today through Wednesday, fireworks are allowed from 9 a.m. through 11 p.m. in other areas of Clallam County.
Fireworks also can be set off from noon through 11 p.m. Thursday
Illegal fireworks are a misdemeanor, as is setting off personal fireworks outside of approved dates and hours.
The maximum fine is $1,000 and up to 90 days in jail, Cameron said.
“Deputies will be patrolling on the evening of July 4 to enforce fireworks laws throughout the county,” Cameron said.
Deputies also will be enforcing underage drinking and boating laws on Lake Sutherland.
No fireworks of any kind are allowed within Olympic National Park boundaries, including in campgrounds and other public areas.
Celebration of the Fourth of July already is under way in Forks, which began festivities Saturday and has events planned through the week.
On the Fourth of July, a Grand Parade will leave at noon from the Forks Transit Center parking lot, 551 S. Forks Ave., and in Tillicum Park, events planned include a salmon bake from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., a demolition derby at 3 p.m. and a fireworks show at dusk.
All other North Olympic Peninsula communities are celebrating only Wednesday.
In Port Angeles, a parade is set at 6 p.m. down Lincoln Street before turning onto First Street and proceeding to Valley Street.
Fireworks will begin at about 10 p.m. over Port Angeles Harbor.
Also, the Port Angeles Yacht Club will host decorated boat parades at 1 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. beginning from the entrance to the Port Angeles Boat Haven and traveling past City Pier.
In Sequim, radio station KSQM 91.5 FM plans a barbecue fundraiser from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the station, 577 W. Washington St., in the Kite Girl Plaza.
The Sequim City Band will provide a free concert at 3 p.m. at the James Center for the Performing Arts north of Carrie Blake Park at 202 N. Blake Ave.
In Neah Bay, fireworks are planned at dusk on Front Beach.
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Reporter Arwyn Rice can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5070, or at arwyn.rice@peninsuladailynews.com.
