'Just one spark' can spell disaster, Washington fire officials warn ahead of July 4 weekend

As Washingtonians prepare for Independence Day celebrations, the state's Department of Natural Resources is reminding people to be mindful about using fireworks.

Budget cuts at the state and federal levels have placed an added stress on agencies handling wildfires, said Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove.

More than 1,000 DNR employees handle wildfire response in Washington during wildland fire season, according to Upthegrove, but Washingtonians should do their part to prevent a response in the first place

"Fourth of July weekend is a fun time, let's not make it a dangerous one," Upthegrove said. "The bottom line is — don't be an idiot. Don't set the state on fire with your fireworks."

In 2024, fireworks caused 270 fires, according to Upthegrove.

"As folks go into this weekend, let's have fun, but be safe with fireworks," Upthegrove said. "That means if you're drinking alcohol, don't play with fire. It means supervise young people with fireworks. It means use them safely and legally in areas where they're designated."

And if you're going camping over Independence Day weekend, make sure your campfire is cold to the touch before you leave your campsite or head to bed.

A spokesperson for the Department of Natural Resources said the agency has responded to more than 600 fire alarms since the start of wildfire season. Some were determined to be false alarms.

DJ Goldsmith, the fire chief of Kittitas Valley Fire & Rescue, said drought conditions are giving responders a tough time all over the region and north of the border in Canada.

"We have winds [going] 30 miles per hour, and it's going to take just one spark to create a disaster for our community," Goldsmith said. "These are costly, these are deadly."

In June, the Washington State Department of Ecology reported 16 counties were under a drought emergency declaration, including Snohomish, King, and Pierce counties.