A popular 4th of July activity is watching fireworks once it gets dark, but the mood can quickly go from cheer to panic if they cause an accident or fire.
According to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission’s website, there were 13,000 firework-related injuries— 38% of which were burns— and 15 firework-related deaths in 2025.
Jonathon Jones, the division chief – fire marshal with the Corvallis Fire Department, said in an email that fireworks which are illegal in the state of Oregon and fireworks which are legal and have been modified are especially dangerous.
“Illegal fireworks, especially those that fly into the air, are the most common fire starters,” Jones said.
Jones also stressed the importance of not holding fireworks nor having them close to any other body part while lighting.
“The emergency room is busy with frequent mishaps of persons handling fireworks, matches, lighters and even already used fireworks,” Jones said.
According to Jones, the CFD has a fire marshal’s office consisting of three deputy fire marshals and 4 seasonal Fire and Life Safety assistants and one way the CFD promotes fireworks safety on the 4th is by inspecting firework sales locations and other areas in their district.
“The FLS crews respond to concerns regarding fire hazards and fire threats on personal and commercial properties during fire season,” Jones said. “The FLS Unit also inspects all the fire hydrants throughout our fire district to ensure we have suppression water when firefighters need it.”
Jones recommends having buckets of water nearby –with at least a bucket of water to put used fireworks in and another to use to put out any fires–- making sure to refill the bucket after each use.
He also said to follow the directions on the package of the fireworks, avoid picking up a firework which is still burning– especially if it landed in tall, dry grass like arborvitae—, avoid handling a firework while it’s lit, avoid lighting more than one firework at a time and avoid relighting a fuse.
“If the firework doesn’t light, or the wick goes out or burns off, do not approach the firework unless you are certain it is a ‘dud,’” Jones said. “Do not attempt to relight it, just consider it a loss and throw it into the bucket of water to soak overnight.”
According to Jones, most firework-induced housefires are caused by discarded fireworks in trash cans, boxes, and garbage bags and he recommends soaking fireworks overnight in water and at least ten feet away from houses and cars. He also said it’s important to practice defensible space all year round.
“Everyone needs to practice defensible space tactics on their own property,” Jones said. “If each of us do our part on creating breaks and distances from combustibles to our own homes, then we have lessened the risks of wildfire spreading from our property to our neighbors’ property and so on.”
Jones said if a fire occurs, call 9-1-1 if it spreads, sight of the firework is lost and/or there’s other reason to believe the fire could get out of control fast. Jones also said to seek medical attention immediately for any burns.