June 30, 2021 — Because of an elevated risk of fires caused by the region’s unprecedented heat wave, the City of Wilsonville is placing a temporary ban on the use of all fireworks within city limits through Saturday, July 10.
The Wilsonville City Council has approved a Declaration of Emergency authorizing the temporary ban, which takes effect immediately and could be extended in the event dry, hot weather persists.
“The risk of a catastrophic fire is too big to ignore, and we need people to hold off on fireworks until weather conditions improve,” Mayor Julie Fitzgerald said. “These extreme conditions require that we all take extra care to protect our neighbors, our property and our natural resources.”
On the heels of three days of record-setting heat, temperatures of 92 degrees or more are forecast daily, July 2-5, far exceeding the Portland area’s average July temperature (82.5 degrees). Wilsonville’s large inventory of dry, decaying trees in the wake of February’s ice storm could give additional life to wildfires.
Wilsonville’s temporary ban includes any and all fireworks, including those purchased legally in Oregon. Violators may be subject to fines or criminal charges including reckless burning, criminal mischief and/or reckless endangerment.
Anyone with significant concerns about potentially dangerous activities that involve fireworks should call the Wilsonville Police Department’s non-emergency number, 503-655-8211. Only call 9-1-1 in the event of an immediate threat to people and/or property.
Supporting Documents
Declaration of Emergency: Fireworks Ban