Police and fire officials will be on patrol this weekend to enforce a fireworks ban in the south hills of Eugene.
The ban is for areas south of 18th avenue and east of Agate Street.
Eugene Police Chief Chris Skinner recently told city leaders the department’s plans for the 4th of July.
He said the approach will be mostly educational.
“While we will seize illegal fireworks, there are still fireworks that are legal to possess, they’re just not legal to utilize in those banned areas,” Skinner said. “So we will not be seizing legal fireworks from people, we will just be educating people about their use and where you can and can’t use those.”
Skinner said illegal fireworks are those that fly in the air. EPD will have a special team with an explosives demolition unit supervisor to deal with dangerous illegal explosives.
There’s also an appthe city of Eugene has developed for residents to report fireworks concerns.
The temporary ban penalty is a fine not to exceed $500. The presumptive fine is $250. Maps are attached.
OREGON LAW APPLYING TO FIREWORKS
Oregon law prohibits illegal fireworks, which include any firework that flies into the air, explodes, or travels more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground, throughout the entire city, without a permit. Fireworks commonly called bottle rockets, Roman Candles, and firecrackers are illegal in Oregon.
To report illegal fireworks within the Eugene city limits, call 541.682.5111. To report within the Springfield city limits call 541.726.3714. The Eugene base fine for illegal fireworks is $250. The social host ordinance in Eugene also applies to fireworks. The social host, or ordinance on unruly gatherings, holds individuals criminally responsible for hosting, organizing and allowing an unruly event or social gathering. Eugene property owners where the event is hosted will also be penalized if there are multiple violations of this ordinance at the same property. The Eugene Municipal Court has assigned a base fine of $375 for criminal violations of this ordinance. Both hosts and property owners could be civilly liable for police, fire and public works response to repeated illegal gatherings that fall under this ordinance. For more information: SOCIAL HOST
BACKGROUND FIREWORKS INFO
People often ask questions about sparklers. The Oregon State Fire Marshal’s website information states that wood core sparklers are considered legal retail fireworks and as such, would be subject to the new code. The 10-inch wire core sparklers are considered an unclassified item and not a firework and can be sold and used throughout the year.
More info at Oregon State Fire Marshal’s website at http://www.oregon.gov/osp/sfm
