Baker City fire chief warns against illegal fireworks before July 4th
Michael Carlson warned illegal fireworks could ignite Baker County’s driest fuels, and complaints go to 541-523-6415.
Baker City Fire and Rescue Chief Michael Carlson used a July 1 press release to warn residents not to set off illegal fireworks in Baker City or the surrounding area. The county is in one of the driest stretches in its history, and cured grass and other fuels are ready to burn.
Recent rain and cooler temperatures offered only brief relief. With the extended forecast, the fuels will dry out again quickly, bringing dangerous conditions back just as the July 4 holiday drives more fireworks use and more calls for help.
Baker County fire crews often depend on mutual aid from other agencies, and those resources can take time to arrive if a fire starts during a busy holiday. The Baker City Fire Department reinforces major incidents with additional personnel. Neighboring departments are already seeing aggressive fire behavior, a risk that reaches homes, outbuildings and rangeland across the county.
Illegal fireworks include bottle rockets, skyrockets, Roman candles, firecrackers and any device that flies into the air, explodes or behaves unpredictably. Oregon rules also ban missiles, rockets, cherry bombs, M-80s and sky lanterns, which are prohibited at all times. Fireworks cause injuries and fires across the state every year, and the Oregon State Fire Marshal sets the 2026 retail sales season from June 23 through July 6.
Residents who see illegal fireworks should not call 911 unless there is an active emergency. Carlson directed complaints to the Baker County Sheriff’s Office non-emergency line at (541) 523-6415 and told residents to press 0; 911 is the county emergency number.
Oregon law makes parents of unemancipated minors liable for fire suppression costs when a child’s fireworks use causes a fire, and the State Fire Marshal’s parent responsibility booklet puts that liability at up to $5,000 in suppression costs and up to $2,500 in restitution. Carlson urged people who want to celebrate to buy only legal fireworks from licensed sellers, keep them away from people, pets and buildings, never relight a dud, soak it in water before throwing it away and keep a bucket of water or charged hose close by.
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