4th of July and Fireworks – Please Be Respectful and Remember Your Neighbors

As Oregonians make plans for the holiday, they’re urged to check local rules and restrictions on both the sale and use of fireworks—whether celebrating at home or traveling.

The Oregon State Fire Marshal is reminding people to celebrate the Fourth of July responsibly and legally, and the agency’s message is clear: “Keep it legal. Keep it safe.”

In Klamath County, legal consumer fireworks can only be purchased from permitted stands between June 23 and July 6. While state law doesn’t restrict usage times, cities like Klamath Falls limit legal firework usage to specific hours. All aerial and exploding fireworks are illegal statewide.

What Is Legal

You are only allowed to use consumer fireworks that do not fly into the air, explode, or travel more than 12 feet horizontally on the ground.

- Legal types: Fountains, ground spinners, sparklers, flitters, and novelty devices. [

What Is Illegal

Any firework that leaves the ground or detonates is strictly prohibited unless authorized by a special permit.

Illegal types: Firecrackers, bottle rockets, Roman candles, mortars, and missiles.
Penalties: Using illegal fireworks can result in a Class B misdemeanor with fines up to $2,500. You can also be held financially liable for fire suppression costs and property damage.

Local City Regulations (Klamath Falls)

If you are celebrating inside the city limits of Klamath Falls, local municipal codes strictly enforce when you can use legal fireworks:

- July 1–3: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- July 4: 8:00 a.m. to midnight
- July 5–6: 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- New Year’s Eve: 8:00 p.m. (Dec. 31) to 1:00 a.m. (Jan. 1)
- Note: Even within these times, you cannot discharge fireworks in high-risk areas like fields, vacant lots, or city parks.

Where to Report Violations

To report the use of illegal fireworks or firework-related nuisance, contact local law enforcement via their non-emergency lines (or 9-1-1 for active fires and injuries):

Outside City Limits: Klamath County Sheriff’s Office
Inside City Limits: Klamath Falls Police Department

Statewide Rules (Oregon State Fire Marshal)

Legal Fireworks: Generally, items that do not fly, explode, or travel more than 12 feet horizontally are allowed in legal areas (e.g., cones, fountains, sparklers).
Illegal Fireworks: Sky lanterns, bottle rockets, firecrackers, Roman candles, and M-80s are illegal statewide.

Prohibited Locations — Regardless of local jurisdiction, fireworks are strictly prohibited in all Oregon State Parks, state beaches, campgrounds, and on federal/state forest lands.

Enjoy Independence Day and stay safe this year – find an event with professional fireworks to watch.

For events at Oregon State Parks including several Fourth of July celebrations, find the event calendar at https://stateparks.oregon.gov. We also encourage visitors to know before they go when it comes to campfire restrictions and any closures during this wildfire season.