Posted: July 6th, 2010 2:22 PM

This year, Portland Fire & Rescue's "Operation: Lower the Boom" – the annual campaign to educate the public about, and reduce the use of, illegal fireworks – was the most successful to date.  Seventy contacts were made with community members, resulting in 20 citations for use of illegal fireworks, and 22 warnings written.  Fire investigators confiscated fireworks with an estimated value of over $12,500 – the largest in four years that PF&R has been partnering with the Portland Police Bureau to crack down on illegal activity.

Perhaps because of the stepped-up enforcement activity, the July 4, 2010 holiday was much safer in the City of Portland than it has been in recent years.  PF&R responded to fewer fire calls and fewer calls that were related to fireworks than last year. There were no significant fires with any large loss to report.

2010
25 fires reported, 19 of which were fireworks related

2009
66 fire reported, 45 of which were fireworks related


Contact Info: Contact Lt. Allen Oswalt pager 503-940-6003