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1 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Our View: Ds, Rs go after the new kid on the block ... It's legal now: Hundreds flock to free pot giveaways ... Ten things you should know about Oregon's new pot law ... Our View: Ds, Rs go after the new kid on the block ... It's legal now: Hundreds flock to free pot giveaways ... Ten things you should know about Oregon's new pot law ... OUR VIEW Our View: Sizzling heat, blazing fireworks coincide this year Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News After an all-too-brief reprieve from triple-digit heat Sunday — it was only 95! — high temperatures are predicted to scream right back into triple-digit territory starting today and lasting right through the Fourth of July weekend. And yet, personal fireworks remain legal in the unincorporated county and most cities. Ashland, with its fire-prone watershed, is the lone exception. Let's be careful out there. Oregon law bans fireworks that explode, fly through the air, or travel more than 6 feet horizontally or 12 inches vertically. But that doesn't stop enthusiasts from procuring the illegal kind and firing them off starting well before Independence Day and even after, if they have any left. Skyrockets, Roman candles, bottle rockets and firecrackers and more pose the danger of setting off unintended fires, and police and fire officials have made it clear in recent years that they will aggressively ticket violators. That can mean a $500 fine and confiscation of illegal fireworks. Last year, Medford police confiscated 1,100 bottle rockets, 200 mortars, 219 firecrackers, 159 flaming balls, 62 rockets and 54 Roman candles. Even legal fireworks can lead to tragedy when misused. Last year, a manufactured home was lost when a boy threw a flaming spinner into some juniper bushes on Savage Creek Road near the Josephine County line. Medford reported eight fires last year, the same number as the previous year, but three of those in 2013 were structure fires. Medford prohibits the sale of any fireworks inside the city limits, but allows the use of devices legal under state law except on public-school grounds or on the eastern foothills — anywhere east of Foothill Boulevard or north of Cherry Lane.  Fireworks also are prohibited on the Bear Creek Greenway and on federal or state forest land. If you must celebrate America's independence by setting things on fire, please, please use common sense, have a bucket of water and a garden hose handy, and don't set off illegal devices. Instead, check out one of the professional fireworks displays planned throughout the area. We'll all be glad you did.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jun. 30, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501