Community Police & Fire
Fourth of July forecast: Hot and dry with a chance of fireworks
A heat wave arrived in Western Washington just in time for people to start playing with fire, literally, on the Fourth of July.
After a reasonably wet, cool spring, the National Weather Service forecasts high temperatures in the 70s and 80s this week. Hot weather combined with explosives isn’t a favored combination for people involved in public safety.
“We had pretty large grass fire in someone’s yard a week ago,” Gig Harbor Fire and Medic One Division Chief Tom Wescott said. “Things just need an ignition source. You can look around at people’s lawns as a gauge. If people aren’t watering all the time, (lawns) have certainly had enough sunshine to dry out.”
Fireworks rules in Gig Harbor and Pierce County
Local governments have stepped up restrictions on the sale and use of fireworks in recent years. The city of Gig Harbor doesn’t allow them at all inside city limits.
Pierce County allows use of fireworks only between 10 a.m. and midnight on July 4. Sales are permitted from noon to 11 p.m. on June 28 and from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. June 29 through July 4 in unincorporated Pierce County.
Firework can be discharged from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on July 4 in unincorporated Kitsap County.
Violating those rules can result in a fine — $1,000 in Gig Harbor or $600 in unincorporated Pierce County. But that’s vanishingly unlikely to happen, at least in city limits.
The shelves of hte Local Pyro Boys fireworks stand in Purdy were still empty on Friday, June 27, 2025. Fireworks sales started Sunday, June 29. Photo by Vince Dice
Nine fireworks complaints in city last year
Gig Harbor interim Police Chief Tray Federici said the department has not issued a citation under the fireworks ban since it went into effect two years ago. Fireworks aren’t typically that big of an issue in the city.
Last year, the department responded to nine fireworks complaints on July 3 and 4. In 2023, the department registered just 10 fireworks complaints. In many of those cases, a caller from inside Gig Harbor city limits complained about fireworks outside city limits, where GHPD lacks jurisdiction.
Federici said the department will take the same approach to the fireworks ban this year as it has in the past, emphasizing education over cracking down.
“Gig Harbor Police Department always practices education over enforcement,” he said. “We exhaust education efforts at every turn and try to work with the community before taking enforcement steps.”
Reporting fireworks complaints
Pierce County asks people in unincorporated Pierce County to report fireworks violations at FireworksReport.com.
In the city of Gig Harbor, call South Sound 911’s non-emergency line 253-287-4455 or 800-562-9800 to report fireworks problems.
For emergencies — for instance, a fire starting as result of fireworks — call 911 as usual.
Fireworks displays
Nearby communities host professional fireworks displays this weekend.
Tacoma: The Tacoma Fourth of July Summer Blast is from noon to 10:30 p.m. July 4 along the Ruston Way waterfront. The celebration takes place at Dune Peninsula and Cummings Park on Ruston Way with over 150 vendors, two stages and a 20-minute firework display. The fireworks display can be seen from Dune Peninsula Park in the north, along Ruston Way Waterfront, and stretching to Jack Hyde Park in the south.
Port Orchard: The Fathoms of Fun fireworks display over Sinclair Inlet starts at 10 p.m. Saturday, July 5. Live music and other fun happens at Marina Park in downtown Port Orchard starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday.