10/07/2026
Considering How our summers are more dry & seeing what is happening across our county & what happened in Greenbank this summer. I love seeing fireworks but just not in my back yard
In case you missed it: Excellent letter to the editor in Whidbey News-Times from a Camano Island ban supporter.
Editor,
My name is Rhonda Paulson and I am a resident of Camano Island. With the combination of our warming climate, which is bringing about an ever-increasing number of major wildfires around our state and across the country, and the fact that Camano has only one two-lane bridge for access and egress, a wildfire on our beautiful and heavily-wooded island would be a disaster of considerable magnitude. According to the Pacific Northwest Climate Project, in 2025, our area received only 93% of the norm for precipitation. The long-range forecast from the Washington State Climate Office indicates a continuation of lower-than-average precipitation through next summer. This leaves our forests seriously stressed and easy to ignite.
While fireworks are beautiful and have long been a tradition of celebration, in these times they pose an ever-increasing risk of sparking a major wildfire on the island. How many will be able to flee? We already have issues with simple accidents blocking one lane or completely shutting down the bridge. Even on a good day with no accidents, heavy traffic often bottle-necks, backing up and taking precious time for egress. Now imagine attempting to evacuate panicked people who are unlikely to leave in an orderly fashion, creating a high risk of an accident, making, further evacuation a near impossibility, especially for those living from mid-island to the south end. Not only would homes and property be lost, but a considerable number of lives would be lost. For the safety of all Camano residents, I feel it is imperative that fireworks be banned from use on the island. Vote yes to support a ban on consumer fireworks.
Rhonda Paulson
Camano Island
