The city of Bend plans to pair police officers and fire inspectors for an Illegal Fireworks Task Force to respond exclusively to illegal fireworks calls on several nights in late June and early July. The task force will patrol areas where data have shown a higher use of illegal fireworks.
“If you’ve had a lot of fireworks in your neighborhood in the past, you can expect to see some patrols this year,” said Fire Department Battalion Chief Dave Howe.
The task force, scheduled for the nights of June 27 and 28 and July 3, 5 and 6, will focus on problematic areas identified by data, but also will respond to calls as they are able.
The 2019-20 Bend City Council Goals prioritized increasing illegal firework enforcement activities as part of a comprehensive wildfire resilience plan.
Last year brought one of the most destructive illegal fireworks incidents in city history, on the slopes of Pilot Butte on July 4, which also prompted evacuation of nearby residents.