Press Release For Immediate Release 26 June 2015
The West End Youth League announces that they have shortened the period of time they will be selling State approved “safe and sane” fireworks in Forks this year. This is due to the ever increasing fire dangers in the City and surrounding rural, forested areas. However, both the Clallam County Fire District 1 and the City of Forks are extremely concerned about the potential of fires from fireworks use in such dry conditions.
The City issued its one fireworks vendor license to West End Youth League, but as the weather has continued to grow dryer and hotter, the board members of the Youth League have heard increasing concerns from people about the potential for significant fire danger.
“We really are concerned and have decided to shorten the number of days we will be selling fireworks this year,” said Jolene Winger, Youth League Treasurer. “We will open on July 1st and sell fireworks through the evening of the 4th of July. We are going to provide information on how to be “fire ready” and how to be safe with any of the fireworks we sell people. Even the smallest of fireworks could cause huge fires with the dry conditions of yards, trees, and nearby forests.” Winger noted that the board’s decision to sell could be modified again if weather conditions continue to raise additional concerns.
With temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and projected forecasts for the next ten days to consist of dry, warm days, the potential for fires of significant magnitude continues to grow. “We all love the 4th of July and our kids love fireworks,” noted Bill Paul Clallam County Fire District No. 1’s Fire Chief, “but everything is so dry that people need to be extra diligent about their firework safety. “
A burn ban is in effect in Clallam County, and Paul and City Attorney Rod Fleck met to discuss that ban regarding some popular 4th of July activities. “The burn ban prohibits any open fire,” Fleck noted, “and so that would mean that things associated with open flames that cannot be easily controlled or extinguished. Recreational outdoor fires, in a pit or not, and the Japanese floating lanterns are just a few of the things that the ban prohibits in the City of Forks. In addition to the burn ban, people need to remember that fireworks not meeting the state’s requirements are still illegal.”
“The fire danger is very, very real,” said Rick Bart, Forks Police Administrator. “No one likes this situation, but the reality is that the use of illegal fireworks in this dry of a setting can and will start fires that will spread quickly and will cause damage to people and property. My officers will be patrolling to ensure that no illegal fireworks are being used in the days ahead. Illegal fireworks will be seized and citations will be issued when appropriate.”
People are strongly encouraged to participate in the public fireworks display in Tillicum Park this year. The Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July fireworks event will occur on the 4th of July starting at dusk. This event is a state licensed public fireworks display under the supervision and control of a state licensed pyro technician.
Press Release For Immediate Release 26 June 2015
The West End Youth League announces that they have shortened the period of time they will be selling State approved “safe and sane” fireworks in Forks this year. This is due to the ever increasing fire dangers in the City and surrounding rural, forested areas. However, both the Clallam County Fire District 1 and the City of Forks are extremely concerned about the potential of fires from fireworks use in such dry conditions.
The City issued its one fireworks vendor license to West End Youth League, but as the weather has continued to grow dryer and hotter, the board members of the Youth League have heard increasing concerns from people about the potential for significant fire danger.
“We really are concerned and have decided to shorten the number of days we will be selling fireworks this year,” said Jolene Winger, Youth League President. “We will open on July 1st and sell fireworks through the evening of the 4th of July. We are going to provide information on how to be “fire ready” and how to be safe with any of the fireworks we sell people. Even the smallest of fireworks could cause huge fires with the dry conditions of yards, trees, and nearby forests.” Winger noted that the board’s decision to sell could be modified again if weather conditions continue to raise additional concerns.
With temperatures in the 70s and 80s, and projected forecasts for the next ten days to consist of dry, warm days, the potential for fires of significant magnitude continues to grow. “We all love the 4th of July and our kids love fireworks,” noted Bill Paul Clallam County Fire District No. 1’s Fire Chief, “but everything is so dry that people need to be extra diligent about their firework safety. “
A burn ban is in effect in Clallam County, and Paul and City Attorney Rod Fleck met to discuss that ban regarding some popular 4th of July activities. “The burn ban prohibits any open fire,” Fleck noted, “and so that would mean that things associated with open flames that cannot be easily controlled or extinguished. Recreational outdoor fires, in a pit or not, and the Japanese floating lanterns are just a few of the things that the ban prohibits in the City of Forks. In addition to the burn ban, people need to remember that fireworks not meeting the state’s requirements are still illegal.”
“The fire danger is very, very real,” said Rick Bart, Forks Police Administrator. “No one likes this situation, but the reality is that the use of illegal fireworks in this dry of a setting can and will start fires that will spread quickly and will cause damage to people and property. My officers will be patrolling to ensure that no illegal fireworks are being used in the days ahead. Illegal fireworks will be seized and citations will be issued when appropriate.”
People are strongly encouraged to participate in public fireworks display in Tillicum Park this year. The Forks Old Fashioned 4th of July fireworks event will occur on the 4th of July starting at dusk. This event is a state licensed public fireworks display under the supervision and control of a state licensed pyro technician.
