Holiday weekend brings fewer fireworks calls, multiple enforcement actions

EAST WENATCHEE — Fireworks-related calls in East Wenatchee declined over the Independence Day weekend compared to last year, but police say several incidents, including a brush fire allegedly started by fireworks and the arrest of a woman accused of setting two earlier brush fires, show the fire danger remains far from over.

The East Wenatchee Police Department responded to 27 fire- and fireworks-related calls between July 3 and July 5, a 23 percent decrease from the same holiday period in 2025, according to a July 6 news release from Chief Rick Johnson.

Among the weekend's developments, police announced that a 48-year-old East Wenatchee woman was arrested July 3 on two counts of reckless burning in connection with the pair of suspicious brush fires reported July 2 along the Apple Capital Loop Trail below Fred Meyer. The investigation involved the East Wenatchee Police Department, Wenatchee Police Department, Douglas County Sheriff's Office and the Wenatchee Valley Fire Marshal's Office.

Police also cited a 41-year-old man after officers responded to a fireworks complaint in the 200 block of Eastridge Drive at about 10:30 p.m. July 4. He was cited for a first offense of illegally discharging fireworks, a civil violation carrying a $205 penalty.

About two hours later, at approximately 12:30 a.m. July 5, officers responded to a brush fire in the 1000 block of 12th Street NE. According to police, investigators identified a 46-year-old man who admitted starting the fire while setting off fireworks. The case has been forwarded to the East Wenatchee city prosecutor for possible reckless burning charges.

Johnson said the reduction in calls was encouraging but urged residents not to become complacent as wildfire season continues.

"Like every summer our area continues to be at a high risk of fire danger," Johnson said in the release. "Please make good choices and help keep your neighbors safe."

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media