Make The Fourth Of July Safe And Fun For Everyone (Photo) -07/03/25

The Fourth of July is one of Hillsboro’s busiest times of year for 9-1-1 calls. While our Hillsboro Fire & Rescue Department is ready to respond to emergencies over the holiday weekend, you can do your part to help make the celebrations safe and fun for everyone.

 

Fireworks, although a beloved tradition, can pose serious risks when not used properly, injuring people (many of whom are children) and easily starting fires.

 

To help reduce the risk of fire and injury in our community:

• Consider including fireworks in your July Fourth celebration by attending a public display.
• Keep your fireworks legal. Fireworks that fly through the air, explode, or act uncontrolled are illegal in Oregon.
• Keep your fireworks safe. Stay away from people, pets, and buildings when lighting fireworks. Keep a fire extinguisher or charged hose nearby and soak used fireworks overnight in water before discarding them in the trash.

Remember:

• Only call 9-1-1 if there is an injury, active fire, or other immediate threat to safety or health. 
• DO NOT call 9-1-1 to report the use of illegal fireworks. Fireworks violations and noise complaints can be reported to non-emergency dispatch at 503-629-0111.

More information on fireworks safety is also available in Spanish and American Sign Language.

• Video: When to call 911 – American Sign Language (https://youtu.be/WxDgIiT6LLs)
• Video: Prevent fireworks injuries – American Sign Language (https://youtu.be/RwTSZBafoz4)
• Video: Fireworks alternatives to celebrate – American Sign Language (https://youtu.be/2VKTTqmwvbg)

From everyone at Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, we wish you a safe and happy Independence Day.

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En español

 

Disfruta del 4 de julio de forma segura y divertida

 

El 4 de julio es una de las fechas del año con más llamadas al 9-1-1 en Hillsboro, y aunque nuestro Departamento de Bomberos y Rescate de Hillsboro está preparado para responder a cualquier emergencia durante el fin de semana festivo, tú también puedes contribuir a que las celebraciones sean seguras y divertidas para todos. 

 

Los fuegos artificiales, aunque son una tradición muy popular, pueden presentar graves riesgos si no se utilizan correctamente, ya que pueden causar lesiones a las personas (muchas de ellas niños) y provocar incendios con facilidad. 

 

Para ayudar a reducir el riesgo de incendios y lesiones en nuestra comunidad:

• Piensa en incluir los fuegos artificiales en tu celebración del 4 de julio asistiendo a un espectáculo público.
• Utiliza fuegos artificiales legales. Los fuegos artificiales que vuelan por el aire, explotan o se disparan de forma incontrolada son ilegales en Oregón.
• Mantén tus fuegos artificiales en un lugar seguro. Mantente alejado de las personas, las mascotas y los edificios cuando enciendas fuegos artificiales. Ten a mano un extintor o una manguera cargada y moja los fuegos artificiales usados durante la noche antes de tirarlos a la basura.

Recuerda:

• Solo llama al 9-1-1 si hay heridos, un incendio activo u otra amenaza inmediata a la seguridad o la salud.

NO llames al 9-1-1 para reportar el uso de fuegos artificiales ilegales. Las infracciones relacionadas con los fuegos artificiales y las quejas sobre el ruido pueden denunciarse al servicio de emergencias no urgentes en el 503-629-0111.

 

También hay más información sobre la seguridad con los fuegos artificiales en español y en lengua de signos americana.

• Vídeo: Cuándo llamar al 911 - Lengua de signos americana (https://youtu.be/WxDgIiT6LLs)
• Vídeo: Cómo prevenir las lesiones causadas por los fuegos artificiales - Lenguaje de signos americano (https://youtu.be/RwTSZBafoz4)
• Vídeo: Alternativas a los fuegos artificiales para celebrar - Lenguaje de signos americano (https://youtu.be/2VKTTqmwvbg)

De parte de todo el personal de Bomberos y Rescate de Hillsboro, te deseamos un feliz y seguro Día de la Independencia.

 

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Washington County Fire Agencies Enact High-Fire Danger Burn Ban (Photo) -06/20/25

 

 

 

 

 

Contact: For Hillsboro Fire & Rescue’s service area, contact Piseth Pich at 503-615-6666 or FirePIO@hillsboro-oregon.gov. For other areas, refer to the respective fire agencies.  

Washington County Fire Agencies Enact High-Fire Danger Burn Ban 

Beginning June 23, 2025, at 12:01 a.m., all fire agencies within Washington County will enact a High-Fire Danger Burn Ban, based on a recommendation made by the Washington County Fire Defense Board in alignment with the Oregon Department of Forestry, Declaration of Fire Season, Number 11. Washington County fire agencies include Banks Fire District #13, Cornelius Fire Department, Forest Grove Fire Department, Gaston Rural Fire District, Hillsboro Fire & Rescue, and Tualatin Valley Fire & Rescue. Burning restrictions are authorized under Oregon Revised Statute 478.960 and Oregon Fire Code 307.

 

The burn ban prohibits all the following: 

• Backyard or open burning (branches, yard debris, etc.). 

• Agricultural burning (agricultural wastes, crops, field burning, etc.). 

• Any other land clearing, slash, stump, waste, debris, or controlled burning.

 

The burn ban does not prohibit: 

• Small outdoor cooking, warming, or recreational fires. These include portable or permanent fire pits, fire tables, and campfires, with a maximum fuel area of three (3) feet in diameter and two (2) feet in height, in a safe location away from combustibles or vegetation, and are fully extinguished after use.

• Barbeque grills, smokers, and similar cooking appliances with clean, dry firewood, briquettes, wood chips, pellets, propane, natural gas, or similar fuels.

 

More restrictive fire safety rules may exist on and within 1/8 mile of Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF)-protected land throughout much of rural Washington County. ODF restrictions may include prohibitions on campfires, smoking, target shooting, powered equipment, motorized vehicles, and other public/private landowner and industrial fire restrictions. More details about ODF fire restrictions are available at https://gisapps.odf.oregon.gov/firerestrictions/PFR.html.

 

Outdoor fires started in violation of this burn ban may be immediately extinguished. If a fire agency responds to a fire started in willful violation of this burn ban, the person responsible may be liable for all costs incurred, as well as legal fees per ORS 478.965.

 

Fire chiefs in Washington County encourage the public to exercise extreme caution when engaging in activities that could start a fire. It is everyone’s responsibility to prevent and prepare for wildfires.

 

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