Portland Fireworks: City Council Votes Ban On Their Use And Sale

PORTLAND, OR — Last year, there was a ban on the use of Portland for a few weeks in June and July. This year, the ban becomes permanent.

The City Council approved a ban on the sale and use of fireworks within the city limits. The ban goes into effect on April 1.

Commisioner Jo Ann Hardesty, who pushed for the ban, thanked her colleagues, saying the ban is necessary for "the safety of our community as we adapt to the unfortunate realities of climate change."

Hardesty cited statistics from the Fire Bureau that showed last year fireworks-caused fires dropped by almost 80 percent. She said that drop likely resulted from the temporary ban.

In 2020, on the Fourth of July, there had been 18 fires caused by fireworks. Last year, that number fell to three.

She also pointed to the danger of wildfires throughout the reason, a threat that has grown in recent years because of record temperatures.