BELLEVUE, Wash. – As Independence Day approaches, the Bellevue School District (BSD), Bellevue Fire Department (BFD), and Bellevue Police Department (BPD) are joining forces once again to promote community safety and prevent fire-related incidents on and around school campuses. All three agencies urge families to celebrate responsibly and remind the public that fireworks are never permitted on school property. 

Over the past several years, multiple BSD campuses, including Phantom Lake Elementary and Tillicum Middle School, have experienced significant property damage linked to illegal fireworks and vandalism. These incidents have resulted in millions of dollars in repairs and reduced access to playgrounds and outdoor spaces for students at a time when social-emotional well-being and outdoor play are more important than ever. 

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with the Bellevue School District to promote fireworks safety and protect our community spaces,” said Fire Marshal Travis Ripley. “School property is not a safe or legal place for fireworks, and we’re asking everyone to celebrate responsibly without putting our kids, schools, or neighborhoods at risk.” 

To help deter illegal activity, the Bellevue Fire Department will again install multilingual yard signs at 12 school sites identified as past hotspots for fireworks use. Signs will be placed in the days leading up to the July 4th holiday and will remain in place for several weeks before removal by the Fire Marshal’s Office. 

The Bellevue Police Department encourages community members to report suspicious activity immediately by calling 911. 

Last year’s July 4th weekend underscored the importance of prevention efforts. On July 7, 2025, a fire caused extensive damage to the playground at Phantom Lake Elementary. While the cause remains under investigation, the timing raised concerns about fireworks-related hazards on school grounds. 

School sites under heightened watch due to previous incidents: 

“We’re grateful to the Bellevue Fire and Police Departments for their continued partnership and for supporting our efforts to keep our students, families, and neighborhoods safe,” said Dr. Kelly Aramaki, Superintendent of BSD. “This is a reminder that community safety is a shared responsibility.” 

The Bellevue School District serves more than 19,000 students across 28 schools in East King County. Its mission is to serve each and every student academically, socially, and emotionally through a rigorous, relevant, and individualized education. As a learning community that values one another’s humanity, BSD is committed to providing courageous support for an equitable and exceptional education for all students.