Fireworks sales launch in Southwest Washington

Sales started in unincorporated Clark County on June 28, while cities have their own rules, regulations and dates, plus a reminder that fireworks are banned in the city of Vancouver

Paul Valencia
Clark County Today

There was a little scare put into the local fireworks industry earlier this year when the Clark County Council broached the subject of possibly, maybe, discussing the banning of fireworks in the future.

Many members of the fireworks industry showed up at the next council meeting to defend their product.

It turned out, the council never took a position on fireworks. Clark County chair Sue Marshall told industry members: “There has not been a proposed ban on fireworks.”

Still, the day of that public comment did mean a lot to those on both sides of the fireworks issue. Councilors did have a discussion on fireworks that day, after hearing from so many passionate people on the subject. Councilors agreed to return to the subject, perhaps later this year. That means, of course, no changes to the sale of fireworks in unincorporated Clark County in the near future.  

Fireworks sales began in unincorporated Clark County on June 28 and will continue through the Fourth of July. 

However, that does not mean the fireworks can be used now.

To be in compliance with the law, residents must wait until the holiday. Residents can only use fireworks from 9 a.m. until midnight on the Fourth of July. (Fireworks are also legal in the evening hours of New Year’s Eve.)

It also must be noted that this is for unincorporated Clark County. Cities have their own regulations. Fireworks are banned in the city of Vancouver, for example. 

Clark County has a website dedicated to fireworks regulations, which includes a map to show where fireworks are legal or not. 

https://clark.wa.gov/community-development/fireworks

Fireworks have been banned in the city of Vancouver since October of 2016. 

Camas has similar rules as unincorporated Clark County. The use is restricted to the Fourth of July. 

Ridgefield and Amboy also have similar rules.

In Washougal, sales start July 2 and are limited to what is called “Safe and Sane” fireworks, basically anything that does not leave the ground. They can be used on the Fourth of July.

If you are in Battle Ground or La Center, you can celebrate a little earlier. Fireworks are allowed on July 3 and on July 4. Sales begin July 1. 

You want even earlier? Head to Woodland or Yacolt. In Yacolt, fireworks use started June 29. In Woodland, fireworks can be set off starting July 1. 

https://clark.wa.gov/sites/default/files/media/document/2025-02/fireworks-discharge-times.pdf

Many of the fireworks stands throughout the region are run by nonprofit organizations. Some have told Clark County Today that fireworks sales provide 20 to 50 percent of their funds for an entire year. One man told the Clark County Council that his organization has given back more than $300,000 to the community through the years, and that fireworks sales are his biggest fundraiser.