(Photo by Stark Art and Images: Because fireworks are banned throughout Chelan County, local fire officials recommend people attend public and professional shows, such as the show in Manson. A full list of professional fireworks shows is at SkipTheSparks.org.)
Fire Chiefs: All it takes is a single spark to ignite a wildfire
Local fire personnel are urging the public to obey fireworks bans in Chelan and Douglas counties to avoid sparking a fire under already wildfire-prone conditions.
The community doesn’t need to look back far to recall the damage that fireworks can do, said Deputy Chief Kurt Blanchard of the Wenatchee Valley Fire Department.
“We were stretched to capacity last Fourth of July,” Blanchard said. “We went from one call to the next, and then fireworks ignited the Balsam Root Fire, causing evacuations and a long night for first responders who were already taxed and exhausted. I do not want a repeat of last year. It was a rough night.”
Personal fireworks are banned throughout Chelan County, both in the city limits and in the unincorporated areas. In Douglas County, personal fireworks are allowed only in Rock Island and under limited hours.
It isn’t uncommon for visitors vacationing in Chelan County over the holiday weekend to bring fireworks they purchased at stands on the westside or on tribal reservations, said Chief Arnold Baker of the Manson Fire Department. Those fireworks are still illegal in Chelan and Douglas counties.
“People visiting don’t understand our arid climate and just how susceptible we are to fire,” Baker said. “A single spark can create a fast-moving wildfire and destroy property and endanger lives. If you’ve already bought fireworks, save them for New Year’s Eve.”
Steve Foley, deputy chief of operations at Lake Wenatchee Fire and Rescue, said visitors are attracted to the area because it is one of the most beautiful parts of the state.
“Unfortunately, that also means our community is surrounded by wildfire fuels,” Foley said. “It is especially dry and volatile this year. For everyone’s safety, we need people to respect the fireworks and campfire restrictions in our area. Please come enjoy our area but leave the fireworks at home.”
If you receive a ticket for igniting fireworks, fines and jail time vary by jurisdiction. However, if someone ignites a wildfire, regardless of whether it was arson or an accident, local fire districts and state and federal agencies can pursue reimbursement for manpower and resources used. People who damage private or public property are responsible for any losses.
Baker points to one local example when, in 2019, an Everett man filled a mailbox with fireworks and ignited a 14-acre brushfire in Manson. The offender was sentenced to three days in jail and 27 days of community service and ordered to pay nearly $40,000 to cover fire suppression costs, Baker said.
As the Fourth of July holiday approaches, local agencies and municipalities have come together for a concerted effort to educate people about the bans. Among their efforts:
The group created a dedicated website that addresses the fireworks ban and shares a list of public fireworks shows: SkipTheSparks.org
Social media efforts are underway to spread the Skip the Sparks message.
The Washington State Department of Transportation and local municipalities have put messaging on permanent and portable electronic reader boards in strategic places to warn visitors and residents that fireworks are banned in the two counties.
Chelan County is closing the dirt portions of Wenatchee’s Horse Lake and Burch Mountain roads July 2-9.
The Lake Wenatchee and Manson fire stations put up lawn signs around town to help make people aware of the fireworks ban.
Holiday weekends always bring increases in travel and the visitor population, Blanchard added. On top of that, the call volume for medical-related emergencies increases, putting additional strain on the 911 system.
“When firework-related fires begin to break out, they can quickly begin to overwhelm our firefighters, putting everyone at risk,” Blanchard said. “When firefighters become overwhelmed with fire responses, they soon find themselves short-staffed, exhausted and out of position for the next 911 call. This can result in a deadly delay in our response to your emergency. When your life is in immediate danger and seconds count, substantial delays in the delivery of emergency care can result in increased injury and even death.”
Because the Fourth of July is such a busy holiday for first responders, it will take a community-wide effort to prevent wildfires this summer.
“We encourage everyone to get on board – to join us in respecting the fireworks ban,” Baker said. “Let’s celebrate as a community together at one of the public fireworks shows in our area.”
The Skip the Sparks campaign is an effort of local fire departments and districts; Chelan and Douglas counties; the cities of East Wenatchee, Chelan and Leavenworth; the Chelan-Douglas Health District and the Washington State Department of Transportation. For more information, go to SkipTheSparks.org.
Last Updated: 06/26/2025 03:36 PM
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The information contained on this site is provided as a courtesy of the Chelan County. Where it exists, the "Index.txt" will contain a brief explanation of files contained in this folder
Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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Chelan County makes every effort to ensure the accuracy of the information provided on its web site. However, due to the possibility of transmission errors, HTML browser capabilities, changes made since the last update to the site, etc., neither Chelan County, nor any agency, officer or employee of Chelan County warrants the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of any information published by this system and shall not be held liable for any losses caused by reliance on the accuracy, reliability, or timeliness of such information. Portions of such information may be incorrect or not current. Any person or entity that relies on any information obtained from this system does so at his or her own risk.
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