Firework bans and safety tips in Thurston County: What you can and can’t do

Cayli Yanagida
·2 min read

The Fourth of July weekend is here, and many may want to celebrate with fireworks. But what you can and cannot use depends on where you live within Thurston County.

To keep from spending money on banned fireworks, take a look at the rules for cities in Thurston County. These bans cover consumer or personal fireworks, and do not include firework displays put on by the cities for the public.

Olympia, Lacey and Tumwater

What you can’t do: Consumer fireworks are banned from being either sold or discharged inside the city limits. This means that fireworks bought elsewhere may not be used in the cities. The ban includes sparklers.

What you can do: Small novelty devices such as glowworms, snakes and party poppers are allowed.

Yelm

The City of Yelm does not have a ban on fireworks. Fireworks stands in Yelm may only sell legal fireworks.

Tenino

The city of Tenino allows the discharge of personal fireworks from June 28 to July 5.

Rainier and Bucoda

Neither Rainier not Bucoda has a ban on fireworks.

Unincorporated Thurston County

Consumer fireworks are allowed in unincorporated Thurston County. Unincorporated areas include Boston Harbor, Delphi, East Olympia and others. Firework sales in unincorporated Thurston County end at 11 p.m. July 4. Fireworks can be discharged from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. July 3 and July 4.

Safety tips

  • Never point fireworks at yourself or another person.

  • If not all rounds eject from a firework such as a Roman Candle, do not peer inside.

  • Never relight used fireworks.

  • When retrieving a firework that you have discharged, point the end away from yourself and others before disposing of it properly.

  • Watch young children with items such as sparklers, which are very hot and can easily light clothing on fire.

  • Before disposing of fireworks, thoroughly soak them in water overnight. Place them in a trash bag and seal tightly. Put the fireworks in the trash.