As I read this, it’s 10:48pm and the “illegal” aerial fireworks continue over west MV. Second only to the legal fireworks… they are pretty spectacular from up here on Pill Hill… but banned by law? Doesn’t seem to be the case. I hear you, fire-fighters and law enforcement. We moved from our neighborhood at Fir and 17th in part because of the July 4th fire danger… but until they stop selling them, your hands will be forever full.. I feel for you tonight.
Still going strong..... as I close....

It doesn’t stop them.  It only slows them down.  Kinda like the speed limit.  There will always be speeders.  It’s literally impossible to stop them all.  At least I’m not on shift tonight.  :)

It’s 11:37 and still going like Beruit…
Glad you aren’t on shift tonight Mikey, but stay by the phone… it’s the most active I’ve seen since we’ve been here…
I know that you can’t be in all places at all times. I would hate to be in your shoes.
No sleep tonight!!

These fireworks are crazy.  They should be banned in Skagit County, and leave the firework shows up to the professionals.  Why are there so many illegal fireworks making their way into the hands of backyard thrill seekers???  Enough already.

It is now just past 2:00 a.m. just after the fourth Fourth-of-July (I believe) since Burlington banned fireworks outright within the city limits. And like every Fourth-of-July since then it has been a mainly quite night, uninterrupted (for the most part) by the flash, bangs and booms of both legal and illegal fireworks. Yes there still is the occasional exception, but those exceptions are infrequent and not the “barrages” of bangs heard elsewhere in Skagit County.

While it may not be the “perfect” solution, there is a successful method of drastically reducing the aggravation, danger and damage caused by all types of fireworks. Legislating an outright ban gives law enforcement a bigger and better tool to keep the lid on fireworks of all kinds, but especially the type purchased from reservation stands, which, generally, are not legal anywhere but on the reservation anyway. This leaves fireworks to the professionals, which is where they ought to be left.

Finally, if a community feels it must have the “freedom” for individuals to set off their own (“safe-and-sane”) fireworks, then it can establish a fireworks zone in some large, fire-safe area where there, and only there, can they be lit.

Driving eastbound over the Swinomish bridge last night I could see spectacular fireworks going off around the whole valley.  From Burlington to Mount Vernon to LaConner.  It looked like we were all celebrating from north to south and east to west.  Later the sirens went off and the fire departments or EMTs had their hands full.  There is a balance.

Woke up to BOOM!--BOOM!.....from the air cannons the farmers use day in and day out to save their berry crops from wild birds.  You know, birds get up really early these days.

But at least the cannons aren’t going to burn down anything.

These fireworks have been around longer than you and I.  If you want to save lives, lets ban cars.  More people die on our highways in any given hour than in five years from fireworks accidents.  How about banning work, more people die working everyday than in ten years of fireworks accidents.  To hear you and the way you dont like something, and want to make sure no one else can enjopy it is pathetic.  My observation yesterday at boom city near anacortes was that there are thousands of cash deals taking place without proper identification.  With a little regulation, we can guarentee that these dont get sold to kids, the county can make some much needed money, and the fireworks show can go on.  Much like the marijuana debate.  some people dont like it, so it must be bad, must be banned.  If it is bad for me, it must be bad for everyone.  I never liked motorcycles after I had an accident as a kid.  Motorcycles cause countless casualties, injuries, and are sometimes responsible for fires.  Should we ban them? No, some people really like motorcycles, and it is a great way for them to relax, or get their thrills.
So, relax, if you dont like fireworks on the fourth, go to canada for independence day, I promice it wont be the same.

enough!!
When will the Mount Vernon city council put an end to this insanity.
Why do certain people feel that blowing up your neighborhood is a fun thing to do? I believe that comparing it to a war zone is the most accurate description. Last year when I complained to the city they felt that they had done a good? job. New year same B.S. two phone calls to 911 did no good.

Here in sleepy Steilacoom, “if it goes up or blows up” it is illegal.  We were treated to a fantastic display over Puget Sound by Steilacoom officials and several other displays around the Sound from other cities.  It was fantastic.  The BEST part, not having to dodge stray fireworks on the drive home.  I am pleased to see that no one in this forum was injured or had property damaged this year.  Have a great day.

Guys, can we not actually step back and celebrate what the 4th of July is all about? I feel the need to celebrate our independence and think it should be loud and proud (hopefully you all want to as well)!! You are blessed to live in a country of independence so if you do not like it maybe try re-locating to another country! Oh but wait you like your freedom so stop complaining and live laugh and enjoy your life.