SEASIDE – Last year, Providence Seaside Hospital treated a person who had lost a finger to an illegal firework.

Each year, the hospital sees six to 12 fireworks-related injuries, usually burns or eye injuries, Seaside Police Chief Bob Gross said. He wants to reduce injuries, so the police department will enforce fireworks laws in Seaside this Fourth of July, focusing on the beach fireworks.

Oregon law bans fireworks that fly, explode or act in an uncontrolled manner. This includes Roman candles, missiles, bottle rockets, mortars, firecrackers and M80s. Violations have been allowed in Seaside, but no longer.

“We’re asking people to keep it legal so we can keep it safe,” Gross said. He would like the public to “let the experts deal with things that fly and explode and go up in the air.”

Cannon Beach first banned beach fireworks in 2004. Only sparklers and smoke-emitting fireworks are allowed on the beach there. Officers from the Clatsop County Mounted Posse will be available during the day to educate the public, and violators will be fined a minimum of $300 under the city’s ordinance, with a maximum of $2,500 and six months in jail under state statute.

Gearhart began to educate residents in 2005 on the law on illegal fireworks and is enforcing it this year. “There will be citations issued to violators,” Gearhart Police Chief Jeff Bowman said. Those citations will be $1,289.

The focus for fireworks in Seaside is currently on education. “We hope that we won’t have to cite anyone for these violations,” Gross said. “We will seize all the illegal fireworks we come in contact with.” Police will drive through neighborhoods on the Fourth of July to continue educating the public. The best way to make sure fireworks are legal is to buy them from a fixed and licensed firework stand or retail outlet, Gross said.

Gross warns that people can be held liable for damages resulting from the misuse of fireworks, and parents can be liable for damages caused by their children. Seaside officers can fine violators up to $500 for each offense and arrest them, Gross said. Fire departments can fine people for the cost of extinguishing fires caused by fireworks.

The maximum size for bunkers on the Seaside beach will be two feet deep and six feet across. This is because of a near-tragedy last year when a fire department vehicle accidentally drove into a bunker. A person was lying inside and was passed out.

Gross said the fire department personnel were able to stop before driving entirely into the bunker and no one was hurt, but said digging huge bunkers is a public safety nuisance. The size limitations will still allow people to build a reasonable fire pit or wind shelter for watching the fireworks, he said.

The Buccaneers, a group of citizens living on Beach Drive, will distribute garbage sacks to encourage the public to pick up trash. A large trash container will be available at the Turnaround.

Gross’s fireworks safety tips are to keep a bucket of water or hose nearby to douse misfired fireworks and potential fires, use fireworks outside on a paved surface far away from buildings and bushes, store fireworks, lighters and matches out of reach of children and have adults light and handle fireworks and supervise children when fireworks are being used. He advises against aiming fireworks at people, property or pets, relighting or picking up “dud” fireworks, altering fireworks or trying to make new ones.

The Seaside Downtown Development Association and Chamber of Commerce are teaming up to increase last year’s fireworks show by 25 percent and provide activities from 6 to 9 p.m. on the Fourth. Broadway will be closed to cars from Columbia to the beach. Attractions include a street fair, the Oregon Crusaders Drum and Bugle Corps, the Tsunami Skippers skip rope jumping team from Cannon Beach and Seaside elementary schools, the Oyster Shooters band from Tillamook and face painting. Coverage will be provided by KCBZ 96.5 FM.

The chamber’s Executive Director Al Smiles praised the fireworks committee from the chamber, SDDA and volunteers, as well as Larry Kriegshauser, who is in charge of setting off the fireworks. Kriegshauser produces a high-quality show and has done a wonderful job on fundraising for the event, Smiles said.

Major sponsors are the Shilo Inns, Trendwest Resorts, NW Natural Gas, Providence Seaside Hospital and Jesse French Construction. The chamber and SDDA thank those who have contributed to the fireworks display, and invite others who would like to donate to contact the chamber at 738-6391.

The chamber, in cooperation with Aviation Adventures, will provide an airplane ride for three during the fireworks show. For a $20 donation at the chamber or SDDA, people are eligible to view the fireworks from the sky with two friends. The winner will be selected July 2.

“I haven’t had a target in years,” Kriegshauser joked at a chamber meeting.