News Flash

July 4th is a popular holiday for families and friends to gather for celebrations. Often those celebrations involve fireworks. While it is legal to purchase and discharge consumer fireworks within Monroe city limits there are inherent dangers to improper use. The City of Monroe and its public safety partners encourage all who celebrate July 4^th in our community to do so safely. For more information about fireworks in Monroe, visit our fireworks webpage.  

Regulations

Monroe Municipal Code (MMC 9.26) regulates the sale, purchase, and discharge of consumer fireworks within city limits.

• The purchase and sale of common (consumer) fireworks is allowed within city limits from July 1 through July 4 from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. 
• The discharge of common fireworks is allowed within city limits on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight. 
• The discharge of fireworks on city property and in city parks (including parking lots) is against the law. 

Common fireworks include, but are not limited to, shells and mortars, multiple tube devices, Roman candles, rockets, sparklers, and firecrackers with no more than 50 milligrams of powder. View Washington State Patrol’s list of legal and illegal fireworks in Washington State. 

Fireworks safety

Statistics show the leading cause of fireworks incidents is unsafe practice. Unsafe handling of fireworks can cause serious injury, death, and fires. Please ensure the safe handling of fireworks:

• Never allow children to play with or ignite fireworks.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person.
• Only light one device at a time and maintain a safe distance after lighting.
• Never ignite fireworks in a container.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.
• Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water and a hose nearby to extinguish sparks.
• Always light fireworks on a smooth, flat surface away from any building, dry grass or vegetation, or other flammable materials.
• Do not consume alcohol or marijuana when handling fireworks.

Noise and commotion from fireworks frighten pets and may make them run from otherwise familiar environments and people and become lost. Call the Monroe Police Department at 360-794-3600 to report a lost or found animal. 

Reporting fireworks incidents

Please keep the following in mind when reporting fireworks incidents:

• To report a fire caused by fireworks, injury from fireworks or the illicit making of fireworks, call 9-1-1.
• Reports of illegal or nuisance fireworks where there is no immediate threat to life or property, no active fire or no injury should be reported to SNO911’s non-emergency number at 425-407-3999.