West Seattle 4th of July fire watch: Roadside fire blamed on thrown fireworks

Since our last report on “brush fires” this kindling-dry 4th of July, another call, this time just east of High Point. Bryce sent the photo and reports, “Small brush fire on Sylvan Way by Forest Lawn Cemetery. Car threw fireworks out the window. Couple people stamped it out before fire crew arrived.”

39 Replies to "West Seattle 4th of July fire watch: Roadside fire blamed on thrown fireworks"

  • Adam July 4, 2015 (9:14 pm)

    Stupid holiday tradition plus stupid people makes for a long night for firefighters.

  • Ben Rupp July 4, 2015 (9:20 pm)

    I would like to take this opportunity to thank the hardworking men and women of the SFD. I appreciate your long hot hours ensuring that when I get off work tonight I will have a house to come home to. I would also like to chastise those that even with the tinder dry, record setting conditions still feel the need to throw burning objects into dry brush, or sent flaming orbs of death into the sky to fall wherever they may. You suck.

  • Dawn July 4, 2015 (9:41 pm)

    Another brush fire happening now two blocks from my house. My neighbor’s keeping lighting off more and more fire works, I’m very concerned. I’m afraid my block is getting the next brush fire call.

    • WSB July 4, 2015 (9:48 pm)

      The Trenton call closed really fast – we were headed that way after the shooting call turned out to be not a shooting.

  • JanS July 4, 2015 (9:53 pm)

    ignorance…just unbelievable ignorance….I’m so glad they upped the money for education in this new budget…:(

  • JanS July 4, 2015 (9:54 pm)

    Ben Rupp…two thumbs up !

  • Funrunner July 4, 2015 (10:09 pm)

    The hottest a Fourth on record, we knew this was coming, and calls to ban fireworks met by handwringing and nervousness by the governor.

  • Brenda July 4, 2015 (10:22 pm)

    Ben Rupp good call!!!!

    I second ( third) your comment!!

    Thank you SPD & SFD for ALL you do!!

  • miws July 4, 2015 (10:22 pm)

    I’d suggest those that are so upset with this, keep an eye on the WSB Forums over the next few days.

    .

    A regular commenter both there and here has indicated on an existing Forum thread, that she is interested in brainstorming ideas that would get some enforcement. I believe she indicated she’d start another thread.

    .

    Yes, I realize the SPD is overwhelmed, but this really needs to stop.

    .

    Mike

  • Neal Chism July 4, 2015 (10:26 pm)

    Keep Mother’s day where it is, but maybe move this one a little over to the right into, oh let’s say, late September??

  • West Seattle Hipster July 4, 2015 (10:42 pm)

    I fail to see any rational logic for setting off incendiary explosives over densely packed neighborhoods.

    .

    Enforcement is needed.

  • WTF July 4, 2015 (10:45 pm)

    Stupid? No. AHs!!!

  • ScubaFrog July 4, 2015 (10:48 pm)

    Miws, until de-policing by the SPD is acknowledged and remedied, I hardly see the SPD making any new efforts in enforcement – across the board.

    Down here on Alki for example, I haven’t seen one SPD unit all night.

    It usually takes a death for the SPD to make any drastic change in enforcement.

    • WSB July 4, 2015 (10:56 pm)

      SF, while I am not calling into question that you haven’t seen one firsthand, officers are at the beach (also parks including Hamilton Viewpoint according to a side note in one of the many lost/found dog reports we’ve been posting on the Pets page). If you listen to the scanner, there’ve been tons of dispatches and responses from the point to Don Armeni, officers on bicycles, and a mention of an Alki command post. No major incidents so far but everything from minor injuries (there also are paramedics stationed there somewhere) to drunken disturbances. I don’t know where the command post is – we chose to stay here at HQ and roll from here to whatever happens (like the Delridge non-shooting and a couple Roxhill brush fire reports that closed before we got there). Many officers also are stationed at the Lake Union fireworks display; I wonder sometimes if there would be a way to keep those officers in their precincts and have the show’s sponsors (Seafair TV, etc.) foot the bill for security … maybe not. – TR

  • alki reident July 4, 2015 (10:54 pm)

    In all my years, I’ve never hear so many fireworks and sirens. White Center is a battle ground. I no longer enjoy the fourth. Its a sorry excuse to bomb your neighborhood. I feel so bad for the animals.

  • ChefJoe July 4, 2015 (10:54 pm)

    Hrm, brush fire call at Madison Middle School about 10 minutes ago. One of those non-athletic field sites commenters were warning about.

    http://www2.seattle.gov/fire/realtime911/getRecsForDatePub.asp?action=Today&incDate=&rad1=des

    • WSB July 4, 2015 (10:58 pm)

      Firefighters have been running from call to call. Glad to say nothing major so far. But the night has just begun. We’re over Lincoln Park and it’s continuous from all directions right now. After publishing one last story from earlier in the day, I’ll probably start an overnight log as we did last year, just for the record.

  • Ben Rupp July 4, 2015 (10:58 pm)

    I have an idea…. since we can’t seem to get fireworks banned everywhere…granted they are illegal in Seattle and that doesn’t seem to stop anyone, but my idea none the less.. tie fireworks to burn bans. If there is a burn ban on the 4th, no fireworks, if it has been wet and there is no burn ban, then you get fireworks.

  • CJ July 4, 2015 (10:59 pm)

    I’ve been seeing SPD going up and down the west side of Admiral all night…sometimes with lights.

  • Kip July 4, 2015 (11:07 pm)

    It feels like a constant bombardment on Alki. Poor birds crying out from the trees (this is so appalling–have you heard the birds when their trees are filled with explosives?); , my dog trembling, one child trying to sleep; I am livid. It’s illegal, it’s unsafe, it’s insane. What a friggin embarrassment…the ahs cheering it on.

  • KM July 4, 2015 (11:14 pm)

    @Ben I wish that would work, but having lived in an area with several burn bans during the 4th, people who intend to break the law will continue to do so. I believe we’re out of luck here. It’s really tough to get support from SPD across a number of safety issues.
    .
    Kudos to SFD, as noted above, they are so,fantastic.

  • Never banned July 4, 2015 (11:18 pm)

    The tribes will fight any ban tooth and nail. Too much $$$ for them.

  • Candace Jacallen July 4, 2015 (11:23 pm)

    When is King County going to ban all fireworks except professional displays?

  • Dawn July 4, 2015 (11:32 pm)

    I’m listening to scanner, so many brush fires my neighbor’s have no respect nor surrounding neighborhoods. I’m outside now watering my grass and trees. I’m concerned why aren’t they. Spd and firefighters are scrambling. I thank them for there service. It’s out of control tonight it seems like people know the danger but don’t care. Why am I watering my lawn and trees at this hour. Because people disrespect the law and have no respect. I’m beyond irritated now.

  • Amy July 4, 2015 (11:32 pm)

    YES! King County it’s time to step up and ban person fireworks!

  • Dawn July 4, 2015 (11:34 pm)

    Are the tribes going to pay the damage for all the brush fires????

    • WSB July 4, 2015 (11:40 pm)

      Tribes FYI are not the only fireworks sellers. Nonprofit organizations sell them as fundraisers in unincorporated King County, as close as steps over the city/county line at Roxbury/28th. http://www.wsp.wa.gov/fire/fwretail.htm

  • Elzie July 4, 2015 (11:38 pm)

    What is meant by ahs? I am crossing gingers that no one is hurt, no fires. Here at Lowman Beach area it’s quite a cacophony.

  • In the AH war zone July 4, 2015 (11:56 pm)

    Why don’t we just make it a requirement that anyone who wants to buy fireworks pass a civics test first. There are plenty of Americans who don’t know the first thing about their own government or what we’re supposed to be celebrating today. Either that or make people who purchase fireworks acknowledge how bad fireworks are for the environment.

  • Dawn July 4, 2015 (11:58 pm)

    The selection at muckleshoot isn’t like the selection at a fundraising stand in white center or renton.

  • Arbor Heights July 5, 2015 (12:03 am)

    We have heard a constant barrage of fireworks up here all night. We are right on the Seattle line. It sounds like an actual battle is taking place east of 35th going towards White Center. Been going for a constant three hours now. Beats any fireworks show. Very few sirens except for a few brush fires earlier in the evening.

  • Ken July 5, 2015 (12:30 am)

    Highpoint is at a dead calm compared to past years. Only heard one pistol this year so far. No automatic… oops spoke to soon.

  • ChefJoe July 5, 2015 (12:31 am)

    WSB, your fireworks sales comment is a bit obtuse. I doubt people are terribly concerned about pinwheel-type twirling fireworks.

    http://www.kingcounty.gov/property/FireMarshal/fireworks.aspx
    Remember, if it has a stick or fins and it goes up or if it blows up, it is illegal in Washington State.

  • Lakeland North July 5, 2015 (1:45 am)

    It’s been ridiculous all night since the afternoon here. Props to the fireworks hotline and the fire dept for curating this madhouse tonight. A house across the street from us was setting off a nearly uninterrupted display from about 8:00 pm til about an hour ago. I’m at a loss as to who has that much money to blow on explosives. Anyway the all-day cacophony has made me form some really strong negative opinions about fireworks that I didn’t have before.

  • Ted Logan July 5, 2015 (7:51 am)

    So glad I went to Canada for the weekend! Dog just can’t take it.

    Seeing of fireworks in Seattle is a misdemeanor punishable with a $5,000 fine and/or a year in jail. Time for enforcement. A few examples ought to set people straight. Don’t like it? Work to have the law changed or move out of Seattle.

  • Dawn July 5, 2015 (4:25 pm)

    Obtuse really, very offended. Thanks WSB.

  • Lai-Lai July 5, 2015 (10:07 pm)

    Williams Lake (Colville): 350 acres burned.
    Rail Canyon (Springdale): 880 acres burned.
    Anatone: 2,500 acres burned.
    Quincy: 10,000 acres burned.
    Seattle is on fire.
    Puyallup is on fire.

    Nearby places on fire that can be seen from Washington boarders:
    Vancouver, Canada; 50 acres burned.
    Bayview, Idaho: 500 acres burned.

  • anonyme July 6, 2015 (9:45 am)

    Deliberately throwing burning fireworks into dry brush is felony arson. Plain and simple. If these jerks are caught at all, what kind of punishment do you think they will receive?

    My bet is NONE.

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