UPDATED: 9:39 PM, July 1, 2021 - To include an interview with Doug Brown president of the Klamath Freedom Celebration. Brown is the organizer of the Independence Day fireworks display to be held at the fairgrounds.

KLAMATH FALLS, Ore. - Social media has been abuzz with news on local wildfire activity, public use restrictions for federal & Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) protected lands, and fireworks use for the upcoming Independence Day holiday. Reading over the comments that accompany those social media posts, it is easy to see many users are triggered on the platform.

In recent days, several cities in Oregon and Washington have banned fireworks within their city limits. Tualatin, Camas, Washougal, Battle Ground, Vancouver, Portland, Jacksonville, Ashland, and Bend to name a few. Many in the Basin are asking that the City of Klamath Falls and Klamath County follow suit with these municipalities and ban fireworks in the city/county.

Last Friday, South Central Oregon Fire Management Partnership (SCOFMP) asked that the public not use fireworks on public lands in Klamath and Lake Counties. SCOFMP also reminded everyone that, “fireworks are prohibited on federal land and are not allowed under the current ODF Public Regulated Use Closure.”

Just today, Ashland canceled its public display and banned the use of retail fireworks in the city.

In Bend, KTVZ is reporting that with the new ban, even legal fireworks ignited in the city limits may incur a $750 fine.

Many residents within the Klamath Basin feel the same way as the City of Bend; that fireworks should be banned this year due to the drought. A few of the provided comments on the Klamath Falls News Facebook Page are listed below:

“There are SO MANY other ways to celebrate, why take a chance,” wrote Michelle George.

“They all should be banned - everywhere - at least this year, this is not A RISK WORTH TAKING! Play a game, instead buy two cans of pet food and visit your local animal shelter…,” stated Lisa James.

Sarah Silverman added, “tell the Commissioners we are tired of weeks of this nonsense! This year we just need to say “NO”!”

“With fire danger going to EXTREME there should NOT be any fireworks,” added Robertta Jackson.

According to KTVZ fireworks stand operators in Bend feel different:

Pastor Jack Dennis of Believers Cornerstone Fellowship Church has been operating the nonprofit fireworks stand for 15 years, to benefit local charities. He said the city's decision could be "very devastating."
Dennis says they do the majority of their sales in the four days leading up to July 4th, but the ban could keep potential customers from making purchases.
"We haven't even paid expenses," Dennis said.
His son, Jake Dennis, who works alongside him at the stand, says the city has taken things too far and the ban is "anti-American."
"Directly telling us what we can and cannot do on our driveway to celebrate our freedom, our liberty -- and then to threaten us with a $750 ticket," Dennis said.
But the city says it's a needed step, due to the high fire danger.
(Full story from KTVZ)

So what about Klamath Falls?
Today, at the weekly Tuesday morning County Commissioners meeting, Commissioner Kelley Minty-Morris stated, “[The] public has been requesting the Board put a ban fireworks. However, this Board has not done so. [The board] is encouraging [the] public to be cautious and perhaps even consider not setting off personal fireworks.”

“A firework ban question has not been put on our City Council agenda for discussion,” said Todd Andres, Klamath Falls City Council. “Council will not be meeting again until after the 4th of July thus the city will continue to operate within its current ordinance on this matter.”

Andres added, “If this question is asked for next year’s 4th of July holiday, I would expect the issue would need to come in front of any governmental body well before the holiday. Many stores and non-profit organizations have already ordered inventory and started sales of fireworks.”

Officials with the Klamath Freedom Celebration, the group organizing the public display in Klamath Falls said, that nobody has asked them to stop the display on Sunday night. So, right now, they are moving forward with the event at the fairgrounds.

What are your thoughts? Head over to our Facebook post on this topic and let us know.