Officials warn of dangers as fireworks go on sale Friday

Fireworks go on sale across Washington state Friday and fire officials are asking people to be extra careful this year.

The state fire marshal knows that people will be making their way to stands to buy fireworks and set them off over the next few days.

>>RELATED: Where fireworks are legal, illegal in Washington state

He says last year in Washington, 209 people were injured, there were 92 fireworks-related fires, and 71 of those were wildfires.

This year, the Puget Sound region is in a severe drought, which means greater risk for wildfires.

On Wednesday, fire officials asked for a ban on fireworks in unincorporated parts of Snohomish County.

"We know we will have fires, we know we will have injuries, we know we will have an increase in 911 calls -- mostly likely double -- and we know we hear from our residents who are afraid to leave their homes on Fourth of July in fear of fire,” said South County Fire Chief Doug Dahl.

Of course, some oppose a such a ban.

“I believe the idea of a fireworks ban is short-sighted,” said fireworks vendor Mike Luke.

Last year, there was a fire at a Muckleshoot tribal fireworks stand in Auburn, making a fear come true for many people working at such stands.

There’s also the issue of fireworks sales for fundraising.  KIRO 7 spoke with someone connected to a church who said sales were lucrative, and in recent years, they raised tens of thousands of dollars to fund programs.

Watch last year's Seafair Summer Fourth Fireworks Celebration below.

Cox Media Group