Illegal fireworks still blasting off in Pasco. What can be done about it?
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- Pasco lifted its ban on personal fireworks eight years ago; aerials remain illegal.
- Pasco Fire Dept. had record 86 calls and 54 fires around July 4, 2025.
- Council discussed enforcement, education and a suggestion for designated fireworks areas.
Police calls reporting fireworks on the Fourth of July have been steadily decreasing in Pasco for years, but city officials — and community members — are still concerned about illegal use and a record number of fires sparked by fireworks.
Eight years ago, the city lifted a ban on all personal fireworks. Now only aerial and explosive fireworks are illegal in Pasco.
While the number of neighbors calling in fireworks complaints has gone down after the change, the number of fires has jumped.
Last year, the Pasco Fire Department reported the most dramatic numbers with a record 86 calls in a 24-hour period around the Fourth of July. That is 3 1/2 times the normal calls for medical and fire emergencies. Pasco residents reported 54 fires between 8 a.m. on July 4 and 8 a.m. on July 5 — all but one were believed to have started because of fireworks. That included 35 grass fires, eight dumpster fires, six house fires and two commercial structure fires.
Enforcing fireworks laws
Fire Chief Kevin Crowley and Deputy Police Chief Brent Cook told the Pasco City Council at its Feb. 9 meeting that enforcing fireworks laws is a challenge, especially when there are emergency calls that take higher priority.
First responders in Benton and Franklin counties work together to prioritize calls on busy nights when they expect fireworks like the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve.
Cook said there isn’t a hotspot for illegal fireworks in Pasco, but told the council, “Pasco has a lot of fireworks calls.”
Firework-related calls to the Pasco Police Department peaked in 2019. But there’s been a 60% drop in calls between 2019 and 2025.
“Pasco’s strategy has been trying to focus on education and promotion of the fireworks that we do have,” Cook said, referring to the fireworks show at Gesa Stadium in Pasco and River of Fire Festival in Kennewick.
The council generally agreed that enforcement needs improvement, but don’t yet have a clear vision for next steps.
“I think we can come to a middle ground where we can all celebrate (and) have safety and respect for our neighbors,” Councilman Mark Figueroa said at the meeting.
“What that solution might be? We’ve got to put our heads together to find that middle ground.”
One recommendation from Councilman Leo Perales was to review the city’s noise ordinance and look at other cities in Washington state for ideas on ways to boost enforcement.
Figueroa also suggested creating designated areas for using fireworks.
Possible ban in West Richland
In November, West Richland began conversations about a ban on aerial fireworks in the city. It’s the only municipality in the area that allows them to be sold, and other city leaders feel a ban would help reduce the most dangerous type of fireworks.
The Kennewick City Council unanimously approved a draft letter that backed the change, which aligns West Richland with Benton County, Kennewick and Richland on the issue.
West Richland also asked Pasco to sign a letter of support, but the majority of the Pasco council voted no to the letter on Nov. 17.
Community’s fireworks concerns
Pasco resident Laurie Thompson has some serious concerns about fireworks.
Over the past few months, she’s been pleading with the council to put a stop to illegal fireworks that may be harmful to veterans who have PTSD, pets, children and other people who are sensitive to sound.
“I want to stress the importance of respecting our veterans. We need to fight for them,” Thompson told the council.
“Why should we dope up? Why should we dope up our animals? Those types of fireworks are illegal already!”
Pasco officials say that the public also is concerned about fires, safety and environmental problems caused by fireworks.
Sandwich board signs
Also this week, business owners gave the council feedback about a new city proposal that would allow sandwich board signs on downtown Pasco sidewalks.
The city plans a change to the sign code that would allow downtown Pasco businesses to place one sandwich board outside their business.
At least three downtown business owners attended the meeting. They generally supported the change, but asked the city to improve communication and outreach about future changes that affect their businesses.
CEO of CD Wine Craig Maloney emailed the city and the council outlining some additions to the code change. He also is a former city council member.
“The goal of this is to get out of the way of businesses being able to do what they need to be successful,” Maloney told the council.
The change came up during a Planning Commission workshop on Dec. 18, prior to a public hearing held on Jan. 15, 2026. The city posted a public notice of the proposal at City Hall on Dec. 23 and published in the Tri-City Herald on Dec. 31 for the public hearing.
The council plans to vote on the code change at the Feb. 17 meeting.
