WASHINGTON, USA — The Fourth of July is coming up and under Washington state law, fireworks can start being sold on Friday, June 28 at 9 a.m. and will stop on July 5.
Across the state, it is illegal to set them off after 11 p.m., with the exception of the Fourth of July.
Firework laws have changed over the past couple of years in the state's most populous counties. In Washington, any city or county can limit or prohibit the sale, purchase, possession or use of consumer fireworks. Here's where you can and can't use fireworks in western Washington:
King County
Fireworks are banned in unincorporated King County, in all city, county and state parks, and within most city limits except for the following:
- Auburn and Pacific: July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Normandy Park: July 3 from 6 p.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 4 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- North Bend: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight (Only ground fireworks, smoke devices and sparklers are permitted as of this year.)
- Snoqualmie: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
In May, it was announced that all sale and use of fireworks is permanently banned on Mercer Island due to safety risks to residents, strain on emergency services, and noise pollution impacts.
Snohomish County
Fireworks are allowed in approved parts of unincorporated Snohomish County and the following cities:
- Granite Falls: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Lake Stevens: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Monroe: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
In Stanwood, Darrington and Sultan, fireworks are allowed starting June 28 at noon. They are allowed to be used June 29 to July 3 from 1 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 until midnight and July 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Fireworks are banned in all city, county and state parks.
Pierce County
Last year was the first year fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county are only allowed on July 4. The Pierce County Council passed the ordinance in 2022.
Additionally, some cities have adjusted the days and times when fireworks can be used.
Fireworks are banned in all city, county and state parks and within most city limits except for the following:
- Bonney Lake: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Buckley: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Carbonado: July 3-5 from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Dupont: July 4 from 6 p.m. to midnight
- Eatonville: July 3-4 from noon to 11 p.m.
- Edgewood: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Fife: June 28 from noon to 11 p.m., June 29-July 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight and July 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Lakewood: July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Milton: July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Orting: July 4 from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- Puyallup: July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Roy: June 28 from noon to 11 p.m. and June 29-July 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Ruston: Fireworks banned
- South Prairie: June 28 from noon to 11 p.m., June 29-July 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight and July 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Sumner: July 4 from noon to midnight
- Unincorporated Pierce County: July 4 from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m.
- University Place: July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight
- Wilkeson: June 28 from noon to 11 p.m., June 29-July 3 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight and July 5 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Island County
Legal fireworks are allowed on the days before, of and following the Fourth of July.
- July 3 - between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
- July 4 - between 9 a.m. and midnight
- July 5 – between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
All fireworks are banned in all Island County and state parks, federal land and public property.
Kitsap County
The discharge of fireworks is banned on Bainbridge Island and in all city, county and state parks. Fireworks are allowed in the following cities:
- Bremerton: July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Port Orchard: July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Poulsbo: July 4 from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Thurston County
The cities of Tumwater, Lacey and Olympia prohibit the purchase, sale and discharge of fireworks at all times.
Fireworks can be used in unincorporated Thurston County on July 3 and 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Skagit County
In unincorporated Skagit County, it is illegal to discharge fireworks except during the following:
- June 29 - between 12 p.m. and 11 p.m.
- June 30-July 5 between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m.
Whatcom County
Consumer fireworks can be discharged in unincorporated areas during the following:
- July 3 - between 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
- July 4 - between 6 p.m. to 12 a.m.
- July 5 - between 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
Fireworks safety
According to the American Red Cross, fireworks start an average of 18,000 fires a year, including 1,300 structure fires and 300 vehicle fires. Here are a few tips they provide for firework safety:
- Never let children handle fireworks.
- Keep a bucket of water nearby.
- Douse fireworks with water after use.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
- Never throw or point fireworks at another person.
- Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.