Fireworks-caused Round Butte fire sparks familiar debate

The Fourth of July holiday is all about the red, white and blue — and unfortunately, on Round Butte, black, too.

On Monday, BLM crews continued mopping up a two-acre blaze sparked Sunday by kids playing with fireworks.

The burn scar is about a quarter-mile from a residential area.

BLM spokeswoman Lisa Clark estimated firefighting efforts cost the agency about $15,000.

It’s an example of how fireworks in the wrong hands can be both dangerous and costly. As easy as it is to blame the youth involved, some wonder if the rules surrounding fireworks are in the best interest of taxpayers and safety.

It wasn’t difficult for NewsChannel 21 to find people scratching their heads over why fireworks sales are legal during a year where fire-risk is especially high.

“I wouldn’t have a problem if they were banned,” said Crooked River Ranch resident Gordon Doggett. “I’m not sure if I even agree with fireworks shows — there’s been fires started there and people injured.”

Terrebonne resident Randall Emerson wouldn’t go that far.

“I think it should only be done by professionals,” he said.

Burns resident Nancy Moon said she doesn’t think they should be banned.

“It’s part of what we do in the United States to celebrate the Fourth of July — Independence Day,” Moon said. “Independence Day is important.”

Whether you agree or not, it doesn’t change the fact that use of fireworks, even the tamer ones legal in Oregon, is heavily restricted: they’re banned from state, federal and many county lands.

In Oregon, teens age 16 and older can buy and use fireworks. However, the city of Bend bans the use or sale of fireworks to people under the age of 18.

Several engine crews and more than 20 firefighters from BLM and Jefferson County Fire District responded to the Round Butte fire.

“It’s hard to chase lighting storms and at the same time pick up all the human-caused fires with fireworks,” said BLM Incident Commander Amarjeet Phillips. “It really takes a toll on us and a toll on our resources.”

It wasn’t immediately clear how many youth were involved in the fire. Jefferson County fire officials said they turned over the investigation to sheriff’s deputies.

Clark said the parents of the kids could be responsible to pay firefighting costs, although it ha not yet been decided if they’ll be fined.

NewsChannel 21 wants to know if you think personal-use firework sales should be banned in times of extreme fire danger. You can vote in our KTVZ.COM Poll halfway down the right-hand side of the front of our Website’s home page.