# Fireworks Mayhem 2026 **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [June 29, 2026, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283 "2026-06-29T20:55:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 7:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/61 "2026-07-05T19:43:45Z")
Or, if burning down buildings, or blowing yourself up, isn’t interesting enough, one can always shoot off a firework into a jetliner: > [@](#): > > The Federal Aviation Administration is investigating after a plane was struck by a firework near Chicago’s Midway Airport on the Fourth of July. > > According to the FAA, the pilot of Delta Flight 1076 reported that a fireworks mortar struck the aircraft just before it landed at Midway Airport around 8:30 p.m. Saturday. > > The plane landed safely without incident. > > A statement from Delta said the plane was coming in from Atlanta and confirmed that it made contact with a firework. > > Chicago police said the aircraft sustained “minor paint damage” and no injuries were reported. [https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/plane-hit-by-firework-while-landing-at-chicagos-midway-airport-on-the-fourth-of-july/](https://wgntv.com/news/chicago-news/plane-hit-by-firework-while-landing-at-chicagos-midway-airport-on-the-fourth-of-july/) ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 8:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/62 "2026-07-05T20:09:39Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > Or, if burning down buildings, or blowing yourself up, isn’t interesting enough, one can always shoot off a firework into a jetliner Bet a bunch of people are right now preparing very thorough explanations of how they were over in Rockford or Gary at that hour… ---
**Author:** ![Spiderman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spiderman/32/230_2.png) [@Spiderman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiderman)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/63 "2026-07-05T20:43:45Z")
Baby gurl was freaked out last night by Momma Nature’s fireworks. Then at some point I hear something so I open the porch door. Some is setting some off in the downpour. Ummm, why? 🤔 I guess they looked at radar & got tired of waiting? ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 9:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/64 "2026-07-05T21:19:35Z")
As I noted in another thread, my neighbors put on a very tepid 4th firework-fest. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 5, 2026, 11:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/65 "2026-07-05T23:51:44Z")
> **[Man dies after Fourth of July fireworks explosion on Lake Keowee](https://www.wyff4.com/article/fireworks-explosion-dead/71826615)** > > A man is dead after a fireworks explosion on Lake Keowee near Seneca, according to the Oconee County Coroner's Office. > **[Fireworks spark dune fire in Norfolk's Ocean View area](https://www.wtkr.com/news/in-the-community/norfolk/fireworks-spark-dune-fire-in-norfolks-ocean-view-area)** > > A fireworks-related fire burned through the dunes near Ocean View Avenue and Chesapeake Boulevard Saturday night, according to Norfolk Fire-Rescue. > **[Costa Vida restaurant in Layton severely damaged by fire possibly caused by...](https://www.fox13now.com/news/local-news/davis-county/costa-vida-restaurant-in-layton-severely-damaged-by-fire-possibly-caused-by-fireworks)** > > A fire broke out on the roof of a Costa Vida restaurant in Layton late Saturday night, causing major damage — and officials say it may have been caused by fireworks. > **[Fireworks may have sparked Santa Paula fire, police say](https://www.aol.com/articles/fireworks-may-sparked-santa-paula-202930876.html)** > > The Santa Paula Police Department said fireworks may have started a July 4 fire. Here's why. > **[Tacoma house fire sparked by fireworks in nearby garbage can](https://www.kiro7.com/news/local/tacoma-firefighters-battle-flames-early-morning-house-fire/PHEPLLJ7PBA6PL6XF2WX2VVNWA/)** > > The department told KIRO 7 News that some fireworks had been improperly discarded in a nearby garbage can, sparking the fire. > **[Fireworks mishap causes apartment fire in Florissant - AOL](https://www.aol.com/news/fireworks-mishap-causes-apartment-fire-135949918.html)** > > An overnight apartment fire in Florissant, sparked by an unexpected mishap with fireworks, left one man hospitalized for smoke inhalation and a woman treated at the scene. The incident, which occurred on Reeb Lane, highlights the dangers of fireworks... > **[Kansas City hospitals continue treating people for firework injuries](https://www.kctv5.com/2026/07/05/kansas-city-hospitals-continue-treating-people-firework-injuries/)** > > Kansas City hospitals are still seeing firework injuries the day after the 4th. > **[Fresno County Sheriff's Office K-9 killed in Clovis hit-and-run after running...](https://abc30.com/post/fresno-county-sheriffs-office-9-killed-clovis-hit-run-running-fireworks/19453704/)** > > An off-duty Fresno County Sheriff's Office K-9 has died after running from fireworks and getting hit by a vehicle that fled in Clovis on Saturday night. > **[Shootout erupts in South Houston during alleged argument over fireworks, 2...](https://www.fox26houston.com/news/houston-shooting-winton-south-fireworks-july-4-2026)** > > Two people are in recovery after police say an argument over fireworks in a south Houston neighborhood led to people pulling guns on each other. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/66 "2026-07-06T04:22:04Z")
Are some of my neighbors too illiterate to read a calendar? I’m hearing fireworks booming again this evening. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 11:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/67 "2026-07-06T11:32:39Z")
And one more tragedy Sunday. > **[Father dies while trying to search for his child in a house fire in southern...](https://www.wmar2news.com/local/southern-maryland/father-dies-while-trying-to-search-for-his-child-in-a-house-fire-in-southern-maryland)** > > The State Fire Marshal's Office said a father died while trying to go into a burning home to look for his 10-year-old child in St. Mary's County. The child safely escaped the home. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 9:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/68 "2026-07-06T21:27:02Z")
Yet more: > **[Child killed in Ferguson firework accident](https://www.somerset-kentucky.com/news/child-killed-in-ferguson-firework-accident/article_be105893-b12d-44c8-a809-c3274e124564.html)** > > A 4-year-old boy was killed Saturday night in Ferguson in an accident involving a firework. > **[Midland reports hundreds of fireworks calls, one ‘traumatic’ injury](https://www.firstalert7.com/2026/07/06/midland-reports-hundreds-fireworks-calls-one-traumatic-injury/)** > > Midland Police Department reported that calls poured into dispatch during the July 4th holiday weekend. > **[One man airlifted after Lincoln County firework accident – Z93 Country](https://z93country.com/archives/547403/region-news/)** > **[07-06-26 Fireworks Accident](https://www.morrisoncountymn.gov/m/newsflash/home/detail/912)** > >  NEWS RELEASE     Morrison County Sheriff’s OfficeJuly 6, 2026 The Morrison County Sheriff’s Office reports that on 7-4-2026 at approximately 1:47 am, their office > **[Improperly discarded fireworks spark Meridian house fire after fourth of July](https://idahonews.com/news/local/gallery/improperly-discarded-fireworks-spark-meridian-house-fire-after-fourth-of-july)** > > A home in Meridian caught fire early Sunday morning after improperly discarded fireworks reignited hours after they were used, according to Meridian Fire.Firefi > **[Malfunctioning fireworks reportedly cause of house fire in Missoula](https://nbcmontana.com/news/local/malfunctioning-fireworks-reportedly-cause-of-house-fire-missoula)** > > A home was extensively damaged on Logan Court in Missoula after aerial fireworks malfunctioned and ignited vegetation next to the residence, fire officials said > **[Fireworks disposal sparks De Pere duplex blaze, 5 displaced and 1 injured](https://wtaq.com/2026/07/06/fireworks-disposal-sparks-de-pere-duplex-blaze-5-displaced-and-1-injured/)** > > DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) -- Improper disposal of fireworks caused a duplex fire in De Pere, displacing five peo... > **[Fireworks-caused brushfires plague Grant County's Fourth of July](https://www.ncwlife.com/news/fireworks-caused-brushfires-plague-grant-countys-fourth-of-july/article_52cb4ce5-6ef1-4c16-a5de-7140de6e2790.html)** > > GRANT COUNTY — The Grant County Fire Marshal says the county experienced nearly a hundred brushfires over the July 4th weekend > **[Boy dies from Dunn apartment fire on Fourth of July](https://www.wral.com/news/local/dunn-apartment-fire-boy-death-july-2026/)** > > A boy died in an apartment fire in Dunn on Saturday night. > **[Illegal fireworks suspected in fire at Nevada Youth Sports Center, CCFD says](https://www.fox5vegas.com/video/2026/07/06/illegal-fireworks-suspected-fire-nevada-youth-sports-center-ccfd-says/)** > > The Clark County Fire Department says illegal fireworks may have caused a Sunday morning fire at a local youth sports center in southwest Las Vegas. > **[Discarded fireworks may have played role in deadly fire in Upstate,...](https://www.wyff4.com/article/discarded-fireworks-may-have-sparked-deadly-fire/71836044)** > > Discarded fireworks in a trash can may have played a role in a deadly mobile home fire in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, according to the sheriff's office. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 10:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/69 "2026-07-06T22:05:23Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > [Fireworks disposal sparks De Pere duplex blaze, 5 displaced and 1 injured | WTAQ News Talk | 97.5 FM · 1360 AM | Green Bay, WI](https://wtaq.com/2026/07/06/fireworks-disposal-sparks-de-pere-duplex-blaze-5-displaced-and-1-injured/) I know exactly where this one is; it’s about a mile from where I grew up. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/70 "2026-07-06T22:16:17Z")
> Police said officers responded to the scene after receiving reports of a large gathering at a pool party involving more than 100 juveniles who were setting off fireworks. According to police, officers requested assistance to disperse the crowd after a large number of teens were running through the neighborhood and onto private property. [https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/3-juveniles-injured-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-north-st-louis-county/](https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/3-juveniles-injured-in-officer-involved-shooting-in-north-st-louis-county/) ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 10:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/71 "2026-07-06T22:19:43Z")
If this all happened in one place there would be a major call for reform and the real danger might sink in to the populace at large. But because the occurrences are a smattering everywhere across the country, I do not think the breadth of the problem is apparent to many. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 11:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/72 "2026-07-06T23:30:25Z")
As you’ve just admitted, the “problem” is a pinprick on an elephant. We collectively should not care because the numbers collectively amount to nothing. An individual may choose to partake of booms & flashes or not. Individuals can choose to care or not about their personal risk profile. Society should care not at all. ---
**Author:** ![Karen\_Lingel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/karen_lingel/32/18649_2.png) [@Karen\_Lingel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Karen_Lingel)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/73 "2026-07-06T23:35:48Z")
Well, I’d like to see the incidents divided into two groups: a) Victim is the perp. b) Victim(s) are not the perp. It doesn’t help me to be a non-partaker if I can still be the victim. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [July 6, 2026, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/74 "2026-07-06T23:48:35Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > …let fly with full Florida Man abandon. I just pissed myself laughing! ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/75 "2026-07-07T00:53:14Z")
Probably if fireworks were less dangerous or less intrusive to others they would lose much of their appeal. ---
**Author:** ![Biotop](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biotop/32/321_2.png) [@Biotop](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biotop)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 2:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/76 "2026-07-07T02:48:37Z")
> **[Ark. teen dies after Fourth of July fireworks injury](https://www.actionnews5.com/2026/07/06/ark-teen-dies-after-fourth-july-fireworks-injury/)** > > Jacksyn Smith was injured the night of July 4 while mishandling fireworks, according to his family. He was airlifted to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital, where he later died. > **[Man holding mortar firework gets projectile launched into side](https://www.fox9.com/news/man-holding-mortar-firework-gets-projectile-launched-into-side-july-2026)** > > A man lighting fireworks was hurt when one exploded in his hand, sending a projectile into his side. > **[Illegal fireworks lead to house fire in NW Redmond Sunday night](https://www.centraloregondaily.com/news/redmond/illegal-fireworks-house-fire/article_a901075e-e565-4dd9-9ee0-189cd36bea49.html)** > > A house in northwest Redmond caught fire Sunday night after someone set off illegal fireworks, firefighters said. They want to remind everyone that fireworks are only allowed to be used on July 4. > **[Reno fire chief talks about Fourth of July weekend fires](https://www.rgj.com/videos/news/2026/07/06/reno-fire-talks-about-13-firework-related-fires-on-fourth-of-july/90828954007/)** > > Reno Fire Chief Dave Cochran talks about the 16 fires seen over Fourth of July weekend, and says 13 were linked to fireworks. > **[Fireworks linked to six fires, one citation in Sonoma County over Fourth of...](https://www.pressdemocrat.com/2026/07/06/fireworks-linked-to-six-fires-one-citation-in-sonoma-county-over-fourth-of-july-holiday-weekend/)** > > Law enforcement say they received dozens of calls reporting fireworks throughout the Fourth of July holidayweekend. Santa Rosa police say one person was cited for illegal fireworks. > **[Official says fireworks tied to four of eight Kalamazoo blazes, two improper...](https://wwmt.com/news/local/fireworks-eight-kalamazoo-blazes-improper-disposals-fire-scott-brooks-kdps-roy-ruiz-dumpster-house-judy-lowerystorm-aftermath-wwmt)** > > Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety crews responded to eight fires across the city in a 12-hour period spanning the Fourth of July holiday. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 11:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/77 "2026-07-07T11:54:38Z")
> [@Biotop](#): > > Probably if fireworks were less dangerous or less intrusive to others they would lose much of their appeal. I agree, but I think those two appeals are quite distinct. One group loves the personal danger, another group loves the heedless freedumb to inflict something on society at large, and yes, there’s some folks that love both. They’re correlated in some people, but IMO neither is causation of the other. ---
**Author:** ![dougrb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/76d3ee/32.png) [@dougrb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dougrb)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2026, 10:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/78 "2026-07-07T22:28:56Z")
Mower sets off discarded firework. [https://www.kctv5.com/2026/07/07/police-school-district-employee-hurt-after-mower-hits-explosive-device-near-grain-valley-school/](https://www.kctv5.com/2026/07/07/police-school-district-employee-hurt-after-mower-hits-explosive-device-near-grain-valley-school/) ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 8, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/79 "2026-07-08T01:02:17Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > We collectively should not care because the numbers collectively amount to nothing. > > An individual may choose to partake of booms & flashes or not. Individuals can choose to care or not about their personal risk profile. Society should care not at all. I don’t buy this, for reasons including the following: - [The incidence of fireworks injuries is increasing over time in the US.](https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2688115224010233) Even if the absolute numbers remain pretty negligible in the grand scheme of things, that’s not the way we want the trend to be going. - At 7-8000 occurrences annually, fireworks injuries are about as prevalent as other forms of rare injuries that we **do** take seriously, such as [venomous snake bites](https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/outdoor-workers/about/venomous-snakes.html#:~:text=Each%2520year%252C%25207%252C000%E2%80%938%252C000%2520people,5%2520of%2520those%2520people%2520die.). We encourage people to avoid venomous snakes, we routinely provide identification and behavior advice for people who enter venomous-snake territory, etc. We don’t assume that we shouldn’t care about this problem just because it’s rare. - Fireworks, unlike other rare injury causes such as venomous snakes, have a relatively high likelihood of injuring **other** people besides the person who was being careless around them. There’s also the knock-on impacts of property damage, which doesn’t significantly manifest in other rare injuries like snakebite. Personally, I don’t mind neighborhood fireworks (though I greatly prefer that their use be kept within whatever legal limits prevail in that jurisdiction) and have no personal experience with, or expectation of, the statistically quite infrequent harm that they do. But I don’t think that harm should be shrugged off at a societal level with the sort of complete and total indifference you’re recommending. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 1:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283/80 "2026-07-09T01:02:09Z")
> [@Kimstu](#): > > But I don’t think that harm should be shrugged off at a societal level with the sort of complete and total indifference you’re recommending. Not to mention up to 18 people dead and 15000 hospitalized every year. 30000 fires- And thus well over $100Million in property damage, plus of course increased insurance rates. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/fireworks-mayhem-2026/1031283.md?page=5)