With the Fourth of July stretching into almost a full week of activity this year, local and state officials are asking visitors and residents alike to follow the rules and pack out garbage as thousands are expected to flock to the main beach approaches.
The two organized fireworks shows are in Taholah as part of Chief Taholah Days festivities, and at Quinault Beach Resort & Casino, with both starting about 10 p.m.
Below is a list of fireworks rules, laws, safety ideas, and tide tables which you should follow in order to enjoy your holiday, provided by the Ocean Shores Fire Deparment, which will be fully staffed and patroling the beaches during the evening hours.
Violation of fireworks, motor vehicle, or other laws can lead to citations ranging from $150 to more than $1,000.
Fireworks may only be discharged during the following dates, and hours:
• July 2nd and 3rd, between the hours of twelve p.m. and eleven p.m.
• July 4th, between the hours of twelve p.m. and twelve midnight.
• Fireworks may only be discharged on the beach from the Damon Beach Approach (Best Western) to Marine View Drive Beach Access. Fireworks cannot be discharged in the City.
• Fireworks cannot be used within 100 feet of the dune grass or fired into the dunes.
• Fireworks cannot be discharged from decks or balconies of hotels, motels, or any residential properties.
• Only legal fireworks may be discharged. Firecrackers and bottle-rocket type fireworks are not permitted.
• Dispose of garbage and used fireworks properly in garbage containers. Do not leave trash on the beach. Bags will be available at the beach approaches.
Burning restrictions
Grays Harbor County Fire Districts and Fire Departments in cooperation with the Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the Olympic Region Clean Air Agency (ORCAA), will be enacting restrictions on all outdoor burning starting July 1.
All residential burning, along with land clearing and forest practices burning will be prohibited until further notice. Recreational campfires are allowed if built in improved fire pits in designated campgrounds, such as those typically found in local, county, and state parks and in commercial campgrounds. On private land, campfires are permitted if an approved fire ring is used with a minimum 10-foot clearing. The campfire shall be no greater than 3-feet in diameter and constructed of a ring of metal, stone or brick 8-inches above ground surface, with a 2-foot- wide area cleared down to exposed soil surrounding the outside of the pit.
The campfire shall have an area at least 10-feet around it cleared of all flammable material and at least 20-feet of clearance from overhead flammable materials or fuels.
The campfire must be attended at all times by a responsible person at least 16-years old with the ability to extinguish the fire with a shovel and a 5-gallon bucket of water or with a connected and charged water hose.
Completely extinguish campfires by pouring water or moist soil in them and stirring with a shovel until all parts are cool to the touch. The use of self-contained camp stoves is encouraged as an alternative.
Tides for the Fourth:
Wednesday, July 4, 2018. Sun 5:28 a.m.-9:13 p.m. Only low tide 11:30 a.m. (0.1ft), high tide 5:04 a.m. (7.3ft), high tide 6:28 p.m. (7.7ft).
State Parks patrols
A special reminder to motorists on the beach: Be aware of tides, and don’t park low on the beach. Cars can get stuck in sand with little warning.
State Parks rangers want beach users to heed the following reminders:
• Use existing campgrounds and lodging—it is illegal to camp on the beach.
• Respect any burn bans. If no ban is in place, fires must be 100 feet from dunes and vegetation and no larger than 4 feet by 4 feet.
• Use only legal fireworks, and observe fireworks hours over the holiday: July 4, 9 a.m. to midnight; July 5, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
• Pack out and appropriately dispose of all garbage.
