Illegal fireworks spark fire in beach grass | Crime

Illegal fireworks sparked a grass fire in beach grass on the seawall southwest of Heceta Street and Pond Street on Monday night.

Firefighters arrived on scene at 10:14 and found a a rapidly moving grass fire. By the tiem a second unit arrived, the fire had tripled in size.

“It can surprise many people how fast fires in our area can start and spread," said Sean Barrett, the Siuslaw fire marshal. "With our summer north winds and fine fuels fires can be explosive.”

In all two brush engines, one fire engine, one tender, two chief officers and 12 fire fighters took about an hour to extinguish the fire.

The total size of the fire was about one quarter of an acre. On Tuesday, Barrett and the Oregon Department of Forestry investigated the cause. 

The cause was traced to use of legal fireworks, specifically the “ground bloom flower.”

Evidence of illegal and homemade explosive devices were found in the area.

It is illegal to set off any firework on the beach in Oregon. Fines can be steep up to $500 and are a misdemeanor.

The making of improvised explosive devices is also illegal and can result in federal charges.

At a minimum this incident was classified as Arson in the second degree which is a class “C” felony that can result in jail time, Barrett said.