The cities of Issaquah and Sammamish have star-spangled celebrations planned for this Independence Day — and Eastside Fire & Rescue firefighters really hope people take advantage of them and other local festivities.
As this year proves especially dry, planned events help keep hazards low and isolated.
“We’re already seeing two to three times the normal call volume for brush calls (this year),” Eastside Fire Deputy Chief Greg Tryon said. “We really haven’t seen fuels this dry this early.”
The department has received 65 brush, bark and wildfire calls throughout its service area — which covers Sammamish, Issaquah, North Bend and Districts 10 and 38. For this time of year, that’s an increase of 47 calls from 2014.
With Fourth of July around the corner, Tryon hopes people will take these dry conditions seriously and mind local regulations.
Like many King County cities, personal fireworks are banned in Issaquah and Sammamish.
Violators in Sammamish face a $500 fine for possession and a $1,000 fine for illegal discharge. Those found without a fireworks permit in Issaquah could face a misdemeanor charge and up to a $1,000 fine for possession of less than a pound of fireworks or a gross misdemeanor charge and up to a $5,000 fine for having more than a pound of fireworks.
However, it is legal to light fireworks in unincorporated King County, like the Klahanie annexation area, but only on July 4 from 9 a.m. to midnight.
Officials are also urging people to only call 911 in an emergency situation, as non-emergency calls, like reporting illegal fireworks, can overload the line and block people in need of immediate assistance, according to a city of Issaquah press release.
To report non-emergencies call 425-837-3200 for Issaquah and (425) 836-5674 for Sammamish.
To avoiding fire or injury, Tryon said it all comes down to individual responsibility.
“Be respectful; be prepared; be educated about where you’re at,” he said.
He said people should note there is a state burn ban that began June 22 and will extend through September.
