The Oregon State Fire Marshal has issued guidelines to help prevent wildfires and help ensure a safe Fourth of July.
Although fireworks are permitted to be sold through July 6, the agency urges people to follow local rules. For example, in Eugene, most fireworks are banned, with a few exceptions for things like sparklers, snakes or caps (see complete list at the bottom of the page).
For those legally setting off fireworks, the fire marshal said to stay away from dry grass, have a bucket of water or a hose nearby, and keep children and pets at a safe distance.
Oregon law forbids fireworks that launch into the air, explode, or travel more than 12 feet horizontally. Violators may be fined up to $2,500.
Fireworks are prohibited on public lands and parks, and on all Oregon beaches, according to the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department. This is to prevent wildfires, keep sensitive habitat safe, and reduce trash and toxic debris.
The following list of fireworks that are legal in the city of Eugene comes from the city's website:
- Paper caps (containing 0.25 grains or less of explosive mixture)
- Model rockets and model rocket motors that are used to propel recoverable models of rocket
- Booby trap/pull apart (containing 0.016 grams or less of composition weight)
- Novelty flitter sparklers (containing 5 grams or less of composition weight)
- Party poppers (containing 0.016 grams or less of composition weight)
- Snakes or similar smoke producing items (containing 100 grains or less of combustible substances)
- Novelty snakes (containing 2 grams or less of composition weight)
- Snappers [pop-its] (containing 0.001 grams or less of composition weight)
- Novelty wire sparklers or novelty dipped sticks (containing 25 grams or less of composition weight)
- Novelty smoke devices (containing 5 grams or less of composition weight).
