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Kennewick outlines River Fire fireworks schedule for July 4 and warns that drones can ground aircraft
Summary
City staff said Kennewick's River Fire fireworks will be launched around 10:10–10:13 p.m. on July 4 and encouraged early arrival for Columbia Park activities beginning midafternoon. Council and staff warned that drones can ground aerial firefighting or observation aircraft and reiterated that mortars and certain aerial fireworks remain illegal.
At the July 1 Kennewick City Council meeting, city staff and councilmembers briefed the public on the River Fire July 4 fireworks display, urging residents to arrive early for activities and warning that flying drones can interfere with aircraft and firefighting operations.
Nick (city staff) told the council that the fireworks are scheduled to be launched around 10:00–10:13 p.m. on July 4 and that Columbia Park activities begin in the mid-afternoon, with many people arriving and parking filling by 8 to 9 p.m. He described the event as family friendly and noted that the display can be seen from across Kennewick.
Councilmembers and staff also discussed disaster-preparedness lessons from recent fires in other Washington communities. Councilmember Torelli described how, in some wildfire responses, aircraft operations were suspended because privately flown drones were in the air in the same area; he said that grounding aircraft can impede firefighting and that residents should avoid flying drones over incidents. He also noted that federal disaster assistance often does not fully cover individual losses and that FEMA assistance to individuals can be limited.
City staff reiterated safety guidance for the Fourth of July: arrive early, use public viewing areas like Columbia Park, and avoid flying drones near the event or over emergency response operations. No regulatory changes were announced at the meeting.
