Here’s what you need to know about when and where fireworks are legal in Whatcom County

Fourth of July is right around the corner and fireworks are now on sale in parts of Whatcom County, but there are location and date restrictions on their use.

You can buy legal fireworks in Whatcom County at any Washington state-licensed and Whatcom County-permitted stand. Illegal fireworks may not be made properly and could be dangerous.

When shopping for fireworks, look for a license or permit displayed at the stand.

TNT Fireworks has seven locations in north Whatcom County that open Tuesday, June 28.

Fireworks that are subject only to federal regulations are commonly on sale in stands on the Lummi Reservation, such as the Legion of Boom, Wolf Den Fireworks and Northern Lights Fireworks stands.

The Washington Fireworks Superstore is also open year-round in Ferndale. The family-owned Native American business is located on the Lummi Indian Reservation at 4523 Haxton Way.

Firecrackers, bottle rockets, missiles, and rockets are legal to use on tribal lands only, according to the Whatcom County website. “These items are illegal in Washington State and become illegal fireworks when possessed off tribal lands,” it states.

Where you can light fireworks

In the state of Washington, fireworks sales and use are only allowed around the Fourth of July and New Year’s Eve.

Whatcom County only allows fireworks to be used from 6-11 p.m. on July 3 and July 5, and from 6 p.m. to midnight on the Fourth of July.

Whatcom County cities have varying rules and regulations on lighting fireworks:

Bellingham

▪ The city of Bellingham bans the use of all fireworks within city limits. This includes sparklers, fountains, smokeballs, ground-spinning fireworks, rockets, aerial missiles and all projectile fireworks. All other explosive devices such as cherry bombs or M-80s are also illegal. Anyone who violates the fireworks ban is subject to a civil infraction with a fine between $250-$1,000.

Blaine

▪ The city of Blaine bans the use of fireworks in the entire West Blaine area located west of Shintaffer Road, the Blaine Harbor area and adjacent bodies of water and all public parks, property and streets within the city’s limits. Outside of these areas, fireworks are allowed to be used within city limits from 10 a.m. to midnight only on July 4. The city only allows fireworks to be sold or purchased within city limits from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 1-4. Violations of these laws will result in a gross misdemeanor.

Everson

▪ The city of Everson allows the use of fireworks within city limits only on certain days. Fireworks are allowed from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 3 and July 5, and from 9 a.m. to midnight on the Fourth of July. Fireworks are prohibited on all parks or municipal properties. Fireworks used “in a reckless manner which creates a substantial risk of death or serious physical injury to another person or damage to the property of another” will result in a gross misdemeanor.

Ferndale

▪ Ferndale only allows the use of fireworks from 9 a.m. to midnight on July 4 within city limits. The city encourages citizens to be careful with the fireworks they buy and review which fireworks are legal to use. “A good rule of thumb is that if you can buy them at the stand at the grocery store, you can shoot them off. Many that come from the reservation, such as bottle rockets and firecrackers are not legal for use in the City,” the city’s website states.

Lynden

▪ The city of Lynden bans the use of all fireworks, except the type classified by the state fire marshall as “safe and sane fireworks.” It is unlawful to handle fireworks of any kind recklessly. It has not updated its fireworks calendar online for 2022 nor responded to a request for information. According to city ordinance, consumer fireworks may be purchased between June 28 and July 5. Those consumer fireworks may be discharged: from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 1 to 3; from 9 a.m. to midnight July 4; and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. July 5.

For other cities and Whatcom County area regulations, the Washington State Patrol has created a list of regulations for each location.

How to safely light fireworks

Fireworks can be extremely dangerous if not handled responsibly. The National Safety Council has advice and guidelines for those lighting fireworks this holiday:

▪ Never use illegal fireworks.

▪ Never allow children to light fireworks.

▪ Never use fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

▪ Never use fireworks indoors or close to people, or around flammable materials.

▪ Never point or throw fireworks at other people.

▪ Never hold lighted fireworks in your hands and wear protective eyewear when handling or near fireworks.

▪ Only light one firework at a time.

▪ Create a distance between you and the fireworks after lighting.

▪ Never try to re-light or handle fireworks that malfunction.

▪ Keep a bucket of water nearby to extinguish possible fires.

▪ Soak used, unused or malfunctioning fireworks in water for a few hours before discarding.

Fireworks shows in Whatcom County

For those looking to attend a fireworks show in the area, Whatcom County has options:

Fourth of July Celebration at Kulshan Trackside

This free Fourth of July event begins at 2 p.m. with a kids zone, food vendors, the Kulshan beer garden and live music that begins at 4 p.m, followed by a fireworks show around 10:30 p.m.

The Port of Bellingham and Bellingham Chamber of Commerce event will be held at Kulshan Trackside, located in Bellingham at 298 W. Laurel St.

Blaine’s Old Fashioned 4th of July Celebration

Blaine Chamber of Commerce’s July Fourth celebration is back after two years and will include a parade, car show, street fair and fireworks.

The event schedule begins with a Senior Center pancake breakfast at 8 a.m., followed by a car show and kid zone, historic Plover passenger ferry rides and a vendor fair that begins at 10 a.m.

Live music performances will begin at 11 a.m., and the parade will begin at noon.

Blaine Public Library will also be hosting a library book sale from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The fireworks show will begin around 10:15 p.m. at Blaine Marine Park over Semiahmoo Bay.

The event is located in Blaine at Peace Portal Drive and H Street.

—David Rasbach (drashbach@bhamherald.com) contributed to this story.