Salem Police and Salem Fire Department will not respond to calls for illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July unless something is on fire or there are indicators of other criminal activity.
Salem Police senior officer and spokesperson Mark Jantz said Salem Police will respond to reports of crimes like reckless burning, arson and recklessly endangering another person.
“Because of the number of fireworks that are in use during the holiday, Salem Police respond to calls of dangerous criminal activity,” Jantz said.
Illegal fireworks light up the sky over West Salem as seen from the top of the Chemeketa Parkade on July 2.
Salem Fire spokesperson Brian Carrara said Salem Fire will respond to calls “if things are on fire.”
The city of Salem asked residents to only call 911 for fireworks related incidents involving injuries or fires.
How many fireworks-related fires has Salem Fire responded to in past years?
In the past three years, Salem fire has responded to 12 fires caused by fireworks on the Fourth of July.
Salem Fire responded to three fires in 2024 that were caused by fireworks. Two of those fires were brush fires.
In 2023, Salem Fire responded to five fires caused by fireworks, including a building fire and a vehicle fire.
Salem Fire responded to four fireworks-related fires in 2022. Two were brush or grass fires.
Legal fireworks include ones that don’t explode, leave the ground or behave in an uncontrolled manner and move less than 12 feet on the ground.
What kind of fireworks are legal in Salem?
Legal fireworks include ones that don’t explode, leave the ground or behave in an uncontrolled manner and move less than 12 feet on the ground. These include fountains, flitter sparklers and ground spinners.
Fireworks are not permitted in Salem city parks.
Legal fireworks can be purchased from licensed sellers in Salem until July 6. There are 33 licensed retail locations in Salem.
Legal fireworks can be purchased from 33 retail locations in Salem until July 6.
What kind of fireworks are illegal in Salem?
Fireworks that are illegal without a permit are fireworks that fly, explode or behave unpredictably.
Roman candles, bottle rockets and firecrackers are illegal without a permit from the Oregon State Fire Marshal.
Illegal fireworks can be reported to the non-emergency dispatch line at 503-588-6123, Carrara said.
An example of illegal fireworks are shown during a demonstration by the Oregon State Fire Marshal on June 23 in Salem.
What are penalties for using or possessing illegal fireworks in Oregon?
The use or possession of illegal fireworks without a permit is a Class B misdemeanor and can result in a fine of up to $2,500.
Modifications to illegal fireworks including using tape or putting them in a small container can lead to overpressure and the creation of a destructive device, which is a Class C felony.
Isabel Funk covers breaking news and public safety for the Statesman Journal. Funk can be reached at ifunk@statesmanjournal.com or on X at @isabeldfunk
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Will Salem police or fire respond to illegal firework calls on July 4?