Extra patrols for the Fourth of July in Sammamish

Sammamish will see extra police patrols leading up to the star-spangled holiday next week.

Starting Friday and running through July 4, the Sammamish Police Department will increase the number of police on the roads looking for residents in possession of illegal fireworks or residents discharging illegal fireworks.

And in Sammamish, both offenses come with a hefty fine.

Discharging illegal fireworks comes with a $1,000 fine, and possessing them is a $500 fine. Additionally, discharging legal fireworks in an unlawful location comes with a fine of $250.

Sammamish Police Chief Michelle Bennett said the department is increasing patrols for safety reasons.

Fireworks injure more than 10,000 people annually in the U.S. and Canada, and more than 35 percent of those injured are children under the age of 15, according to the city of Sammamish.

In a typical year, fireworks account for two out of every five fires in the United States, according to the National Fire Protection Association.

“On average each year, fireworks start 18,500 fires, including 1,300 structure fires, 300 vehicle fires, and 16,900 outside and other fires,” according to a National Fire Protection Association press release. “These fires cause an annual average of three deaths, 40 civilian injuries, and $43 million in direct property damage.”

And it’s for this reason that the city of Sammamish is encouraging residents to “leave the lighting to the professionals,” according to a city press release.

The city puts on its annual fireworks display at Fourth on the Plateau in the Sammamish Commons Plaza Tuesday from 6-10:30 p.m. The Sammamish Commons is located at 801 228th Ave. SE.

Food trucks, children’s activities and live music will present family fun leading up to the fireworks show, which begins at 10 p.m.

Parking is limited, so the city suggests residents arrive early.

Fourth on the Plateau began in 2007; it draws more than 10,000 people to the city commons every year.

Fireworks are also banned in the surrounding cities of Issaquah, Redmond and Bellevue.

Additionally, sky lanterns — miniature balloons that rely on open flame to float in the air— are also banned within Eastside Fire and Rescue’s service area, including Sammamish and Issaquah.

To report the illegal use of fireworks, call the non-emergency line:

• Issaquah Police Department: 425-837-3200

• King County Sheriff’s Office/Sammamish Police Department: 206-296-3311

Officials ask residents to call these numbers as the 911 lines can overload.