Surge in fireworks calls over July 4th holiday keeps Central Lane 9-1-1 dispatchers busy, officials say

Eugene, OR – According to the officials, between 8 PM on July 4th and 2 AM on July 5th, the dispatchers at Central Lane 9-1-1 managed a significant increase in call volume, handling between 100 and 130 reports of illegal fireworks.

This surge was on top of their normal call load, making for an especially demanding night.

For comparison, the number of fireworks-related calls during the same timeframe in previous years were:
– July 4, 2023 – 185 calls
– July 4, 2022 – 131 calls
– July 4, 2021 – 128 calls
– July 4, 2020 – 116 calls
– July 4, 2019 – 40 calls
– July 4, 2018 – 114 calls
– July 4, 2017 – 77 calls
– July 4, 2016 – 82 calls

In response to the increased activity, Eugene Police partners staffed extra patrols and engaged with the community, issuing only warnings and no citations. Many calls were resolved upon arrival, as the fireworks had often ended by the time officers reached the scene.

Despite the busy night with fires and fireworks-related incidents, the Eugene Police Department expressed gratitude for the collaboration and support from law enforcement partners in Eugene, Springfield, and the County, as well as the dedicated dispatchers who worked tirelessly to keep the community safe during the intense holiday weekend.