Fireworks caused $200k worth of damage in Pierce County this year, report shows
Four incidents over Fourth of July weekend resulted in $207,000 in damage due to improper use and disposal of fireworks, the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau reported this week.
On Friday, July 4, according to the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau those incidents were:
“Fallout from fireworks landed in a wave boat at a residence in Puyallup, resulting in the total loss of the boat and trailer.
Fireworks lit in a field in Spanaway burned an RV parked nearby.
Spent fireworks were placed in a plastic trash container against an exterior garage wall at a residence in Puyallup. The trash container caught fire, burning the wall and attic space of the garage.”
On Saturday, “Ground and aerial fireworks were lit by neighbors at a vacant manufactured home in Spanaway. Debris and fallout damaged the structure and surrounding vegetation, resulting in a total loss of the manufactured home,” the Pierce County Fire Prevention Bureau reported Tuesday.
Last year fireworks-related property damage over the Fourth of July holiday resulted in about $585,000 in damages, according to fire marshal Ken Rice.
You can only light fireworks in unincorporated Pierce County from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on July 4, and between 6 p.m. on Dec. 31 and 1 a.m. on Jan. 1.
In the city of Tacoma, personal fireworks use is banned and can result in a $513 fine. Many of the fireworks purchased on Tribal Land can only legally be discharged on Tribal Land, according to the city.
Due to dry weather conditions, the burn ban initiated June 1 remains in effect in unincorporated Pierce County until further notice.
Make sure you store fireworks out of children’s reach and always keep water nearby. Never relight a “dud” firework and soak used fireworks in water after you’re done with them, according to Pierce County.
This story was originally published July 9, 2025 at 12:19 PM.
