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Weekend fireworks lead to injury, multiple fires | Whidbey News-Times

Fireworks caused or are suspected to have caused numerous emergencies.

Whidbey News-Times

THANK YOU for your support!

Thanks to your support, we have met and exceeded the $3500 amount needed to assure the advisory vote will appear on the ballot. Our campaign will now focus on getting out the vote: YES to BAN consumer fireworks in Island County.

Letter to the Editor June 26, 2026

Every summer, rural Island County becomes something none of us asked for: the fireworks destination for people who can’t legally set them off where they live. As surrounding counties adopt restrictions or outright bans, more visitors — and many vacation‑homeowners — come to Whidbey and Camano specifically to light fireworks.

They get the show. We get the consequences.

Even though Island County has finally banned aerial mortars, many other fireworks remain legal, and they still pose serious fire and injury risks. For those of us who live here year‑round, the impacts are impossible to ignore. We deal with the risk of wildfire, terrified livestock, wildlife and pets. We deal with sleepless nights, smoke in the air, and debris left behind in pastures and on beaches. Our geography makes the risk even more serious: limited evacuation routes, dense forests, and long stretches of rural land where a single spark can spread faster than help can arrive.

And when something goes wrong, it’s our volunteer firefighters — our neighbors — who leave their families to respond. It’s our tax dollars that pay for the calls, the patrols, and the cleanup. Meanwhile, many of the people creating the danger head home.

Allowing consumer fireworks here — while neighboring counties wisely restrict them — effectively turns Island County into the region’s fireworks dumping ground. It’s time for Island County to adopt and enforce a countywide ban on the use, possession and sale of consumer fireworks, not because celebration is unwelcome, but because rural residents should not be forced to absorb the risks and damage created by people who don’t even live here.

Patricia Campbell 

Camano Island 

Letter to the Editor June 24, 2026

Editor,

As we approach our country’s 250th anniversary, it’s important to address a common misconception: fireworks are not a legal right. They are a regulated privilege, and Washington law gives counties full authority to regulate fireworks.

There is no constitutional or statutory “right” to use fireworks. They are not protected speech, not protected property, and not comparable to any constitutionally recognized liberty. Under state law, fireworks are classified as explosive materials, and their use is allowed only under conditions set by the government. In fact, Washington law (RCW 70.77.395) gives counties clear authority to adopt ordinances that are more restrictive than state fireworks law – including prohibiting the sale or discharge of consumer fireworks”. Local leaders have both the power and the responsibility to act when conditions demand it.

And conditions now demand it. According to the National Safety Council, fireworks start more than 31,000 fires every year in the United States and send thousands of people – many of them children – to emergency rooms. The National Fire Protection Association reports that sparklers burn at 2,000 degrees and cause nearly a third of fireworks injuries to children under five. Although fireworks are a cherished tradition, these are not harmless holiday novelties, they are high-temperature ignition sources used during the driest part of our summer.

For Camano and Whidbey, where ingress and egress is limited, consumer fireworks are an unmitigated risk. A single spark landing in dry grass can overwhelm our largely volunteer fire crews before they even arrive, making it difficult, if not impossible, for evacuation and containment. Public, professionally managed fireworks – or better yet, laser and drone shows offer a safe, festive alternative.

Island County lawmakers have both legal authority and moral obligation to protect its residents. Fireworks are a privilege, not a right, and when a privilege threatens community health and safety, it is reasonable and responsible, and expected, to be restricted. Commissioner Bacon is taking this responsibility seriously. First, by getting mortars banned and now sponsoring an advisory vote on the November ballot where citizens of Island County can make their voices heard. We are grateful for her leadership and our opportunity to tell the Commissioners that the sales and use of consumer fireworks are a risk we cannot take.

Lee McGuire, Safe and Humane Fireworks

June 16, 2026

As the country celebrates its 250th birthday, an important reminder about the current Island County Fireworks Code.

• Mortar style fireworks are not allowed at all. Mortar fireworks are defined as any shell designed for use with a container that includes a lift charge, a time fuse, a burst charge, and stars/effects, that in combination is designed to lift the shell out of the container, ignite the burst charge in the air, and cause the effects of noise and/or light. These are commonly referred to as mortar shells, festival balls, canisters, ball shells, reloadable shells, and onion balls.
• Other consumer fireworks are only allowed on July 3rd between 9 AM and 11 PM and July 4th between 9 AM and midnight
• All fireworks are banned if there is a Type II Burn Ban
• All fireworks are banned in city, county and state parks
• All fireworks are banned on public property including public streets and sidewalks
• Disturbing Eagles is a federal crime carrying a penalty of up to $100,000 --we have at many active eagles nests in the county.

Please consider attending a public, professional, permitted show instead like the Freeland Fireworks show on July 3rd starting at 4 PM at Freeland Park.

https://freelandchamber.org/.../greater-freeland-chamber...

https://www.whidbeynewstimes.com/.../no-mortar-fireworks...

January 23, 2025.

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Testimonials

Everett Herald Editorial- March 21, 2023

Monday, the latest report from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned that the world is now likely to miss its target of limiting global warming set for 2030; its scientists predict, climate disasters – heat waves, droughts, floods and more – will become too extreme for many regions to adapt and prepare for adequately.
“We have surpassed the point where action at any level can be dismissed as insignificant.”

Lisa Fladager- March 5, 2023

How Extreme Heat Scorched Pacific Northwest's Evergreen Trees. Very very important points here. I can't see how they [County Commissioners] would be able to defend themselves if they didn't take this into consideration and take proactive measures. By proactive measures I do mean ban fireworks island wide. After all, if there's a burn ban there absolutely ought to be a Firework ban.

Rhonda Paulson- Camano Island Preparedness Group and C.E.R.T Lead), February 2023

The safety of Camano residents, in the event of a wildfire, is in jeopardy. “We are, after all, a very long island with very narrow roads and only one way on and off. Given these circumstances, it would be impossible to evacuate all residents in a safe and timely manner, should someone's fireworks spark a wildfire. Likewise, with residents attempting to flee, it would be equally impossible for outside resources and support for our very limited fire district to get on the island. The consequences would be devastating, not just from the perspective of the destruction of personal property, but with regards to the loss of lives, as well

Marianne Edain- WEAN (Whidbey Environmental Action Network Founder and Politiblog Author)

There are the obvious human issues of PTSD and jangled nerves, dogs under beds, and terrorized farm animals. But there is also the matter of climate change and the effect that is having on our vegetation. This year’s weather is a prime example. While the spring was cold and wet, the summer drought lasted well into October. By mid-November, in spite of “atmospheric rivers," it was possible to scuff in the soil and discover that 1” below the surface it was still bone dry. That dry soil has stressed (and continues to stress) our trees. We have reports of red cedars dying for no obvious reason. And Bigleaf maples are suffering as well. The upshot is that these trees are moisture stressed, which makes them all the more vulnerable to fire. 

And of course the operative part of “fireworks” is “fire.” We’re all aware of celebrations gone wrong and resulting in brushfires. July 4 is early in the dry season. The combination of these facts could prove disastrous. We all experienced the months-long fire in the Skykomish area, well west of the Cascade crest. Wildfire is no longer just an east-side problem.

The simple and painful fact is that Island County has become vulnerable to wildfire. For all the green we see, Island County is also very densely populated. Wildfire anywhere in the county would be devastating. A ban on recreational fireworks should be considered an ounce of prevention. 

We are aware that there are non-profit organizations which derive income from sale of fireworks. We hope those organizations are nimble enough to find alternative sources of revenue. That revenue is not sufficient to outweigh the potential loss of life and livelihood from wildfire.

Leslie Welch, December 9, 2022

I support the mission of Citizens for Safe and Sane Fireworks and call for a change to Island County Code that limits fireworks sale and use, in the unincorporated areas of Island County, to those formally permitted and sponsored by the towns, cities or County, and only on the 4th of July.

I have animals both domestic and wild on my acreage and my domestic animals must be sedated so they can be somewhat comfortable during the fireworks. Limiting the firework displays to one day per year and for a reasonable period of time ( not setting off fireworks after midnight for example ) would allow for those people interested to support permitted and sponsored displays.

I strongly urge the County Commissioners to take action to ban personal fireworks sale and use prior to May 1, 2023 so that the one year waiting period will conclude in time for the ban to be in place for the 2024 July 4th holiday.

Sunny Fitzgerald, December 6, 2022

The time has come for Island County to acknowledge that personal fireworks are taking too much of a toll on the environment, animals and vulnerable humans.  I recognize that many families have traditions and look forward to the event, but sadly it has become so overwhelming and the impact so traumatizing we will need to find other ways to celebrate the holiday.  I want Island County to follow the example of other Washington state counties to ban personal fireworks.

Susan Lindsey Cohen, December 5, 2022

Just visit Goss Lake where, for days around July 4^th, what used to be one private firework display has now turned into 5, 7 or more. Competing percussive bombs go off for 3 or 4 days disturbing, frightening and endangering humans, pets and wildlife (specifically protected eagle nests).The smoke created is unhealthful for me as an asthmatic. At such close range, it is unbearable for many humans and pets. So much so that my family with our pets, and other families, are forced to leave Whidbey Island for 3 or 4 days over July 4^th to escape the traumatizing effects of the “celebrations”. July 4^th can still be an enjoyable celebration for all. Let’s devise ways to celebrate as a community without all the percussive bombing, debris, ash, smoke, spent shells and other litter and detritus created by these excessive private fireworks and strewn about the entirety of Island County.

Linda Hauser, December 3, 2022

I have had Fibromyalgia for 36 years, and stress greatly exacerbates my pain.  When I have to endure 4 days of what sounds like bombs going off day and night, my stress and pain levels go through the roof.  When I see the animals that live with me running, hiding and shaking because of their fear of the explosions, it adds to my stress.  I see deer running back and forth in our yard, totally panicked, because of the horrible noise, it added to my stress.  There is nothing beautiful or enjoyable to me in what the people in my neighborhood choose to buy and explode for four days every year.  I live by Goss Lake, and enjoy its beauty and the marine life that live in and around it.  The chemically laden debris that ends up in the lake after fireworks are killing unknown marine life living therein and polluting the water for humans who swim in it as well.

Diane and Greg Stone, November 28, 2022

Most people we talk with dread the season of fireworks: the possible danger and fright to babies, children, veterans, sick people, domestic animals (including our old cat who was not normal for several weeks), and wild animals. I hear of birds, particularly eagles, abandoning nests and some chicks jumping in fright from their nests. For many of us, fireworks mean ongoing anxiety, disruption of routine life, and sleeplessness. Some people in our area use fireworks that almost certainly are illegal—unimaginable military-like booms that rattle windows. Yet how can we prove they’re illegal? The Sheriff’s Office is overburdened, and officers must hear the noise personally in order to issue a citation. 

Craig Cyr, Langley Council Member, November 23, 2022

I strongly support a fireworks ban in all of Island County. Langley implemented a fireworks ban in 2020 which came into effect in 2021. The ban on fireworks makes a huge difference in the quality of life in Langley. Despite predictions to the contrary, Langley is much quieter around the holidays with no disruptive concussive explosions. Our pets are happier, as are our citizens. And we are all safer. Now is the time for Island County Commissioners to ban fireworks island wide.

Billie and Richard Draves, November 23, 2022

We live on Goss Lake where fireworks displays have expanded over the last several years into practically a competition around the lake for the biggest and loudest displays.  Fireworks are going off for days prior to and after the Fourth of July.  We are rattled and our dog Carlos shakes in fear from the percussive explosions that seem to only increase in their intensity and randomness throughout the holiday.  Our last resort is to actually leave the island during the holiday. It seems to us that escaping our island home runs counter to the idea of celebrating a national holiday.  

A growing number of municipalities have enacted sensible limitations to fireworks displays that provide opportunity to enjoy fireworks in a much more sensible way, limiting risk and harm to our environment, our community services and service people, and to our companion animals.