The Wichita Fire Department said there was a notable decrease in fires, and injuries during the July 4th holiday period this year.
Speaking at Wichita Mayor Lily Wu’s weekly news conference on Thursday, Battalion Chief Jose Ocadiz said there was only one house fire, reported on June 30th, with improper disposal of fireworks as the cause. Ocadiz said there were 36 injuries in the city limits, and the non-emergency hotline that was set up to receive fireworks complaints had 1,160 calls.
Last year, there were five structure fires blamed on fireworks, with damage totaling $60,000. There were 39 injuries reported, and there were 1,046 calls to the non-emergency hotline during the July 4th period in 2023.
Ocadiz said one issue of concern was an increase in after-hours use of fireworks, and the use of fireworks on July 6th. That was a violation of local and state law. The city set 10 a.m. to midnight as the hours of fireworks use, from June 27th to July 5th. He said the majority of the 34 citations that were issued were for after-hours use.
The next step will be for fire officials to meet with local stakeholders and look at possible changes for city ordinances next year to improve compliance with fireworks laws.
