[Grovenet] IRACK

[Ron D'Eau Claire]

Not everyone realizes that some communities still allow limited use of
certain personal fireworks. 

In many places *all* personal fireworks are just plain illegal, and folks
who have lost homes and even loved-ones lives to fires set by fireworks
(bottle rockets, mis-handled candles, etc.) are severely traumatized by
hearing and smelling them. 

And then there's a whole generation of Vietnam Vets, a number of whom are
severely affected by the sights and sounds.

Even where some personal fireworks are legal, there are severe restrictions
on their use. For example, "If it flies, explodes or travels more than 6
feet on the ground or 12 inches in the air, it's illegal - bottle rockets,
Roman candles, fire crackers," said Lieutenant John Hopkins, with Clackamas
County Fire District #1. "It's up to a $500 fine and possible jail time for
transporting fireworks from Washington to Oregon."

Lots of people don't realize that *all* personal fireworks are illegal on
*any* Oregon beach or on *any* public land - state or federal. 

Does that include city streets or parks? They're public land. No wonder
people are calling 911. 

One might ask why we allow personal pyrotechnics at all. "In 2006, there
were 243 fires caused by fireworks reported statewide. That's a 43 percent
increase from 2005," said Assistant Chief Deputy Stacy Warner with the
Oregon Fire Marshal's Office. "The total property damage caused by these
fires was estimated at $1.1 million."

Ron D'Eau Claire

Ref: 
http://www.oregoncitynewsonline.com/news/story.php?story_id=1182814176650869
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-----Original Message-----
From: grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com [mailto:grovenet-bounces at rdrop.com] On
Behalf Of Geri
Sent: Tuesday, July 03, 2007 6:23 AM
To: Forest Grove local interests list
Subject: Re: [Grovenet] IRACK


Hi, Katie --  At the time I watched iRack I didn't have time
to watch anything else; will have to check these out.   : )

Speaking of emergency call centers and non-911 calls:
This morning on local TV news, they were asking people not
to call to report fireworks going off in their neighborhood on the 4th!  Uh,
fireworks going off on the 4th of July ... (Okay to call if something
catches fire, though.)

Geri