Fourth of July fireworks returning to Bend’s Pilot Butte; summit road closes to vehicles June 30, other restrictions

BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- This year’s 4^th of July Pilot Butte public fireworks display will commence at approximately 10 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4^th.  In preparation, the Oregon State Parks Department and Bend Fire & Rescue ask that the community observe the following restrictions to Pilot Butte State Park from July 1^st through July 5^th. 

• The access road to the summit will be closed to all vehicle traffic. The gate closes at 10 pm on June 30^th as part of the normal park operations. It will remain closed until the afternoon of July 5^th due to fireworks operations. 
• All the trails and roadways will be accessible to pedestrians only starting 10:00 pm on June 30^th. With the exception of the summit, which will be closed to all but authorized personnel and equipment. Please respect the barriers that will be placed across the road and pathways to prevent access to the summit. This is for everyone’s safety and security. 
• Access to ALL trails and roadways (top to bottom) on Pilot Butte will be closed on July 4th at sun up through the afternoon of July 5th. No access will be permitted with security and law enforcement on site to enforce restrictions. This is for the safety of the set-up crews and visitors to the park. The area will reopen when the clean-up process has been completed. 
• Signs/fences and security will be placed at the closure points on the Butte. Please respect the closed areas and do not attempt entry, for your own safety and the safety of those working to set up the fireworks. Visitors will NOT be allowed into the closed areas at any time.
• The main parking area at the base of Pilot Butte, off Linnea Drive, will be open during the fireworks show. But we ask that you do not block any emergency access roads or public/private streets, as this can delay a response to an emergency.
• Pilot Butte will reopen for all pedestrian visitors the afternoon of Friday, July 5^th after all fireworks and equipment have been secured and removed from the site. 
• Oregon State Parks and Bend Fire & Rescue remind everyone that pets are not permitted in the park during the show.  

The fireworks are presented each year as a gift to the community from Subaru of Bend and their partners. Thanks also to the local Scout troops who help clean up the fireworks each year after the show. A huge thank you to the local fire crews from the US Forest Service and Oregon Department of Forestry for assisting with fire safety on the butte during the show. Without their support each year, this show would not be possible.

For more information, please contact Oregon State Parks at (541) 388-6055 
or Bend Fire & Rescue at (541) 322-6386.