Fireworks | City of Bend

Bend Fireworks Ban

In 2021, the Bend City Council voted to permanently prohibit the sale and use of fireworks in Bend in response to years of drought declarations and record-setting heat waves that make the community vulnerable to wildfire risk.

All fireworks sales, use and possession are banned within the Bend city limits under city law.

What the ban means:

There will not be any sales tents or in-store purchases of fireworks in Bend.
You cannot buy fireworks elsewhere and use them in Bend without risking fines or other legal consequences.
Only fireworks shows that have special permission from the Oregon State Fire Marshal are allowed.

Leave it to the pros!

Each year on July 4 there is a firework display on Pilot Butte in Bend. This display is permitted by the Oregon State Fire Marshal and run by certified professionals for all to enjoy! Bend Fire & Rescue works closely with the organizers of this display leading up to the show to prepare the area surrounding the butte, and crews are ready to respond in case of spot fires.

Fireworks Reporting

To help keep our neighborhoods safe and our environment protected, the use of personal fireworks is not permitted within Bend city limits. We are asking Bend community members to send fireworks complaints via email at fireworks@bendoregon.gov

While this email is not monitored in real time and does not trigger a police response, every report helps us identify patterns and address ongoing fireworks concerns across Bend.

Your input plays a key role in keeping our community safe and informed—thank you for helping us track these issues.

In general, illegal use of fireworks is not considered an emergency. However, if you see a fire start, or if someone gets hurt by a fire, you should call 911.

We ask the Bend community to help our first responders by following the local ban on fireworks. That will allow quicker emergency response and avoid a flood of calls to Deschutes County 911 dispatch.

Firework Display Permits

Firework displays are only allowed in the Bend area when a permit has been issued by the Oregon State Fire Marshal and endorsed by Bend Fire & Rescue and the Bend Police Department.

To obtain a firework display permit, you must:

Select the appropriate fireworks permit application from the Office of the State Fire Marshal and fill it out with information about your proposed display. There are several types of fireworks permits to choose from depending on your needs. Permits are subject to a fee and may have specific licensing and certification requirements.
Have application reviewed and endorsed by Bend Fire & Rescue and Bend Police Department. Contact Bend Fire & Rescue at 541-322-6300 to request a review of your application as early as possible. Bend Fire will work with Bend Police to review and provide you with the endorsement documentation to support your application with the State.
Apply for your permit through the Office of the State Fire Marshal. Submit your application along with the endorsement documentation from Bend Fire & Rescue and Bend Police at least 15 days prior to your display.
Schedule an inspection with Bend Fire & Rescue ahead of your display. Once you’ve received the preliminary approval from the State Fire Marshal, you will schedule an inspection with the Bend Fire & Rescue inspector who endorsed your application. The inspector will meet with you prior to the show to go over safety considerations and requirements. Some displays will require a demonstration prior to the show.
Stay in close contact with Bend Fire & Rescue leading up to your firework display. Some conditions can impact whether a firework display permit can be carried out as planned, including extreme weather or unforeseen strain on local emergency resources.

For more information and to apply for a permit, visit the Office of the State Fire Marshal - Fireworks Info.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are sparklers considered fireworks?

No. The ban does not include “novelty items” or small items that are not classified as fireworks by the state of Oregon. These include smoke bombs, wire core sparklers, snakes, and party poppers.

Note that wood core or “flitter” sparklers are considered fireworks and are banned by the ordinance. A flitter sparkler is a small paper tube filled with materials that create color and sparks when lit. These don’t use a fuse—you light the paper at one end to start them.

What if I live outside of the city limits?

Firework use outside city limits is still regulated by Oregon State Law. Oregon-legal fireworks, also called retail fireworks, can be used without a permit. Commonly known Oregon legal fireworks include fountains, flitter sparklers, and ground spinners. Fireworks that fly into the air, explode, or move in wild or unpredictable ways are not allowed in Oregon without a special permit from the Oregon State Fire Marshal.

Learn more about legal use of fireworks: Oregon State Fire Marshal.

If you are in an area that permits fireworks, please remember to use them safely.

Have a water source nearby in case of an accident or defective fireworks.
Only use fireworks on non-combustible surfaces like gravel or pavement.
Follow age restrictions. Only adults should light and use fireworks – never children.
Soak discharged fireworks in water before disposal.

Why are some fireworks displays allowed?

The Oregon State Fire Marshal can issue permits for professional fireworks displays. These permits allow certain shows to happen even though they would normally be against the rules.

Permitted displays must undergo an intense review and follow specific safety rules to protect the audience and the surrounding area. Bend Fire & Rescue works with the organizers of these displays to ensure specific fire safety during and after the show, including requiring professional pyrotechnicians to be on scene, ensuring proper fire suppression equipment and monitoring area after each show to prevent unintended fires from igniting.

Information on obtaining permits can be found: Oregon State Fire Marshal.

What happens if someone doesn't follow the ban?

Violation of the fireworks ban within city limits is considered a "Class A" civil infraction. This means the person could be fined up to $750.

According to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, breaking state fireworks laws could be treated as a misdemeanor, with fines up to $2,500.

Also, if someone’s fireworks cause injury or damage, they could face more serious legal consequences, including criminal charges or being held responsible for the costs.