The City of Goldendale, and Klickitat County Emergency Management is urging its residents and visitors to enjoy the Nation’s celebration of our Independence in a safe manner by refraining from setting off fireworks during this time of high fire danger due to the current historic record extreme heat and drought.
We fully endorse the Klickitat County Department of Emergency Management message alerting the public to the current situation of extreme heat and fire danger and urging all of us to celebrate our Independence safely by refraining from setting off fireworks.
The National Weather Service has extended the Extreme Heat Warning for our County and surrounding areas and issued a Red Flag Warning for fire weather danger due to windy conditions and low relative humidity. Weather conditions have set the perfect conditions for extreme fire danger.
Wildland fires place all our emergency responders at risk for heat related injuries and our communities at risk of property destruction and health related issues due to smoke.
| If Your Fireworks Cause a Wildfire |
| Please keep in mind that if your fireworks cause a wildfire, you may not only be liable for property damage but also responsible for paying the fire suppression costs of the fire agencies involved in extinguishing the fire. The potential financial and legal ramifications to you and your family for starting a wildfire are just not worth it. |
*Call 9-1-1 immediately if you see flames, a smoke column or are having a heat related medical emergency* For non-emergent situations call Klickitat County Dispatch at 509-773-4545.
Fireworks Safety – We urge everyone to follow the fireworks safety tips below if you do choose to use fireworks:
- Be prepared before lighting fireworks: Have a sufficient water supply available by using a garden hose or bucket.
- Be safe when lighting fireworks: keep children and pets away from fireworks.
- Be responsible after lighting fireworks: never relight a dud. Wait 15 to 20 minutes then soak it in a bucket of water before disposal.
- Be Aware: use only legal fireworks and use them only in a legal manner. Illegal fireworks will be confiscated by the Goldendale Police Department.
- Limit use of fireworks to July 4 only between 6:00PM and midnight.