Did our July 4th really go off without any trouble? Nah, it just seems that way | Opinion

Despite extremely dry conditions and sparks flying throughout the region, the Tri-Cities managed to get through this year’s Fourth of July without any major fires.

So why is that?

Were people, in general, more responsible with their personal fireworks this year?

No — not really.

Were we just lucky?

Perhaps a little bit.

For the most part, though, we have our fire crews to thank for keeping small flames from turning into deadly infernos.

Kennewick Fire Chief Chad Michael said the entire region was “very active” Tuesday night putting out grass fires, trash can fires and various other blazes.

He did not have hard figures immediately on the number of calls fire crews responded to during the Fourth of July holiday, but he knows firefighters were extremely busy — especially after the sun went down.

One of the more disturbing events of the night came when a Kennewick fire crew was on the way to another call and just happened to spot flames burning in Zintel Canyon. The team quickly put the fire out before it could spread and threaten homes.

It’s this kind of near-miss story that makes us wonder if allowing personal fireworks are worth the risk. The discussion is one the Tri-Cities has had for decades, and every time we get through a Fourth of July without a catastrophe it is easy to believe the danger isn’t real.

But those working to keep us safe know differently.

If that Kennewick fire crew had not passed Zintel Canyon at the exact moment a fire was just starting to burn, how fast would the flames have spread? And what kind of devastation might have followed?

Already, there have been two fires in the canyon this year. One ended up scorching a home and destroying another.

With the patchwork of fireworks laws in Benton and Franklin counties, the Fourth of July has always been tough on both police and fire crews.

Kennewick and Richland allow people to set off only certain personal fireworks, while West Richland allows people to set off any fireworks that are legal in Washington state.

Pasco and Benton County also limit the types of fireworks allowed, while Prosser, Franklin County and Connell have a complete ban.

Such a crazy quilt of fireworks laws means it is very easy for someone to set off illegal fireworks without getting caught. There’s just too many pops and bangs to keep track of.

And that’s always been a concern. We live in a desert and the fire danger is high, especially in the summer.

This year was the first time in more than 30 years that personal fireworks were allowed in Kennewick city limits. Last year the city council lifted the ban, essentially saying that allowing families to set off their own fireworks was part of the holiday tradition.

We get it.

Christmas doesn’t quite seem like Christmas without a decorated tree. Thanksgiving doesn’t seem quite like Thanksgiving without the feast.

For many families, it doesn’t seem like the Fourth of July if they don’t set something off in the cul-de-sac.

But Christmas trees and a big meal with pumpkin pie for dessert don’t frighten and threaten others.

Personal fireworks are a different story.

We know they are fun, and that most people are careful. But they can cause anxiety for pets and neighbors, as well as endanger nearby homes and property if they go off course.

The loud pops and bangs can frighten dogs so much they either cower in fear or bolt if they get the chance. Some people feel like they have to stay outside ready with a garden hose to protect their trees, yards and roof tops.

And some Tri-City neighborhoods actually end up in a smoky haze.

We’ve always said the fewer sparks flying around the Tri-Cities, the better.

We imagine most firefighters would agree with that, considering they are the ones who have to put out the fires when those sparks turn to flames.

So once again, to the police and the fire crews who worked to keep the Tri-Cities safe this Fourth of July, we say thanks. Year after year, you are the main reason our community makes it through the night without disaster.