Fireworks equal fire
By Terry Murry on Tuesday, July 4th, 2023 in Columbia Basin News More Top Stories
PENDLETON – When Pendleton’s community fireworks display occurred Monday night, Fire Chief Jim Critchley said there was one thing his department knew for sure.
“Fireworks start fires,” he said. “We know that and we prepare for that. We’d rather have it done by professionals where we are allowed to prepare.”
The pyrotechnics sparked a fire in a nearby gravel pit. Three engines were standing by and crews extinguished the grass fire.
“There were trees, but the trees are green,” he said. “The fire only burned the dried grass.”
He said it’s the amateurs who could be lighting fireworks somewhere else in the area that worry him. By the time his crews can narrow down a location, it could be too late.
“If you light a firework, they always light something else on fire,” he said.
Photo contributed by Jeff Perry
