Olympia – As Clallam County Commissioners consider a countywide fireworks ban similar to those in Sequim and Port Angeles, the State Fire Marshal’s Office has released some sobering facts about last year’s Fourth of July fireworks season.

The release says that in 2017, they received 345 reports of fireworks-related incidents by hospitals, clinics, and fire agencies in Washington State. They include 262 injuries and 83 fires. The majority of these incidents occurred on the Fourth of July.

Those 262 injuries are 11 percent higher than the 10 year average.

The 83 fires that were caused by fireworks resulted in a loss of almost $60,000.

54 injuries and 6 of those fires were caused by devices that are illegal to own or possess in Washington State.

The Fire Marshal leaves us with this advice: When planning your fireworks fun, always remember the three “Bes” of fireworks safety:

• Be Prepared – Have water nearby and put pets indoors
• Be Safe – Only adults should light fireworks
• Be Responsible – Clean up fireworks debris