Retail fireworks stands legally opened across Washington state on Monday as state and federal fire officials ramped up surveillance and prevention efforts in anticipation of Fourth of July celebrations.
All fireworks remain illegal inside national forests, and forest employees have been told to confiscate any fireworks they discover. People in possession of fireworks in a national forest can be fined up to $5,000 or spend as much as six months in jail if convicted.
Anyone convicted of starting a wildfire could be held liable for suppression costs, which are sometimes up to about $100,000.
More than $5 million worth of damage was caused by 89 fireworks fires in Washington last year – 15 of those were caused by illegal fireworks. 91 injuries were caused by devices that are illegal to own or possess in Washington state.
More than 1,200 fireworks incidents and 200 injuries were reported last year, with the majority of these incidents on July Fourth.
Meanwhile, the Washington Poison Center says fires are not the only fireworks danger.
Last year, the center received 76 calls about possible poisoning from fireworks and explosives, with 55 of those calls involving children younger than 6 and 14 others about animals that ingested fireworks. (AP)
