Between the record-breaking drought and heatwave, many have expressed concern about fireworks. While others have expressed concern about protecting our rights. I’d like to share facts as well as some possible solutions for Deer Park, Washington.
Possible Solutions
Fireworks Show
Many Independence Day firework shows are not held on the 4th. By changing the date we solve the problem of out of towners misusing consumer fireworks within city limits because they have no vested interest in the city. We can also choose a time that presents a lower fire risk. Because of permits and insurance, it would have to be scheduled much later in the year or in the spring.
In the future, other steps can be taken to further reduce the risk with display fireworks. Changing the location for the show to a space with more irrigation and fire protection would make a big difference. Additional temporary signage to clearly warn visitors about Deer Parks laws. Simple signs for various locations with verbiage such as “No Fireworks In Parks, by Deer Park Municipal Code 8.34.040.”
Consumer Fireworks
During the pandemic, many businesses were forced to shut down or change how they operate at the direction of the Governor. To protect the safety of residents and businesses we should take the least disruptive course possible. Fireworks purchased in the city can also be used in New Years’ celebrations. There is no reason fireworks should not be sold. By banning the selling of fireworks for 2021, the City Council would be causing similar hardship as the Governor without providing relief.
Fireworks Facts & Data
Risk Of Fires
Wildland Fires
The west side of the United States has one the longest wildland fire seasons running from May to October. The most common cause of wildland fires is abandoned campfires, smoking cigarettes, power line failures, railroads, and vehicle exhaust pipes. Fireworks are grouped with other causes such as arson and children playing with matches to be statistically significant. If they were not grouped together that would not be visible on graphs as the number is insignificant.
Sources:
- Quantifying the Human Influence on Fire Ignition Across the Western USA – University of Massachusetts Amherst
- Increasing Wildfire Awareness and Reducing Human-Caused Ignitions in Northern New Mexico – Forest Stewards Guild
Fires In Cities
Structure fires are also a commonly expressed concern. The number of incidents caused by fireworks alone can seem extreme when taken out of context of the scale of the entire United States. In a 104 page FEMA report about causes of structure fires from 2008-2017 fireworks are mentioned only 3 times in footnotes, which clarifies that they are grouped with “Other Heat ” as a cause. It’s because fireworks would not be statistically significant by itself. “At 52%, cooking was the leading cause of residential building fires.” Based on statistics from this report we need to ban cooking.
Sources:
- Fire in the United States 2008-2017 – Federal Emergency Management Administration
- Home Structure Fires November 2020 – National Fire Protection Association
- Fires Associated with Fireworks – Rates 1980-2011 – American Pyrotechnics Association
Malden, WA
The city of about 200 people was almost completely consumed by fire last year. The fire was started by a tree branch impacting a powerline. The blaze spread quickly as a result of winds blowing at 45mph. The fire took place at the end of a very long fire season, in September. A comparison to Malden is just not fair for Malden or Deer Park.
Fire Risk This Year
We are all very aware of the heat and drought. However one of the biggest factors impacting fires spreading is the wind speed. For this holiday season, the wind speed is projected to be only a light breeze during the day. In the evening when most fireworks will be used there will be almost no air movement. When fireworks are used in irrigated areas, such as residential property, the risk is extremely low. Droughts have a delayed impact, we are not getting much rain now, however, it takes time for water to evaporate from dead fuels such as fallen trees and undergrowth. The full impact of the drought will be felt later this year if it continues.
Yesterday I visited the Sports Complex to see how the drought and heatwave have impacted the field adjacent to the launch site. Because of the lack of rain, there is very little vegetation that has grown. What has grown is very drought resistant and still very green.
Risk Of Injury
Many activities have a risk of injury which are often surprising. Swimming is a favorite pastime in the area. The CDC estimates there are nearly 4,000 drowning deaths every year. Compared to 17 for fireworks in the year 2019. Statistically, as fireworks use has increased in recent years, injuries and deaths have decreased. Like swimming, there are safety precautions that need to be taken to reduce the risk.
If we are going to ban things because they are unsafe based on statistics, many beloved pastimes will be lost forever.
Illegal & Improper Use
In every case I was able to research fires and severe injuries were the direct result of fireworks that are either illegal or used improperly.
Sources:
- Drowning Facts – Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- 2019 Fireworks Annual Report – U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
- Injuries to Children – The Facts – American Pyrotechnics Association
- Fireworks-Related Injury Rates, 1976-2020 – American Pyrotechnics Association
- Fireworks Injuries Decline as States Liberalize Laws – American Pyrotechnics Association
2nd Amendment Rights
“A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
While most people don’t think of fireworks as weapons they have been used in wars for thousands of years including the American Revolutionary War. Like firearms most ammo is not used in self defense but in training, recreation, and hunting. Those activities keep the owners of firearms well prepared for home defense or defense of our country. In modern times fireworks are just as useful in defense and combat. For example, strobing fireworks can disable night vision goggles. Protecting our rights to own and use fireworks is critical to protecting all of our 2nd Amendment rights.
STEM Education
Fireworks are an important tool for creating a curiosity in children to explore chemistry and physics. We need to encourage our children to delve into sciences so that they will be prepared for the future that awaits them. Learning about fireworks can lead to many fields of study such as rocketry, astronomy, meteorology, fire science, chemistry, and many others. We need to use every tool we can to excite children to learn.
We found a way to open the city pool during a pandemic and difficult time to hire. Let’s continue the trend of finding a way to make things work. Let’s not cancel yet another activity that can be executed in a safe way.