Gresham Police Crack Down On Illegal Fireworks This Summer

GRESHAM, OR — As summer heats up and wildfire season takes effect, Gresham police hope to remind residents planning their July 4 celebrations to obey all Oregon firework laws and not make use of illegal fireworks in or around the city.

Less than one year removed from the Eagle Creek fire, which destroyed a huge portion of the scenic Columbia River gorge after a boy playing with fireworks ignited a forest fire that has hot spots still smoldering, Gresham officials are putting in extra effort to reduce the use of "fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than six feet on the ground or 12 inches in the air."

According to Gresham police, extra patrols will be added this summer to strictly enforce Oregon's firework laws — specifically ORS 480.120, which refers to the sale, possession and use of fireworks.

"The biggest reason is that people can be unaware of the dangers of fireworks. Not only can they cause serious injury to the user but also to on-lookers," Gresham police spokesman Ben Costigan told Patch in an email. "According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, fireworks were involved in an estimated 11,100 injuries treated in U.S. hospital emergency departments during 2016. 7,600 of the injuries were between the dates of June 18 – July 18."

According to Costigan, Gresham police received 128 calls regarding fireworks during that same time frame. He could not say how many of those calls were injury related, however.

Folks cited for being in possession of illegal fireworks face a fine up to $1,500.

To report the use of illegal fireworks to the Gresham Police Department, call 503-823-3333.

Images via Gresham Police Department, Autumn Johnson for Patch