Chelsea Bossert/Daily Mining Gazette The DNR is encouraging park-goers to practice proper campfire safety this holiday weekend. Hancock Campground has fire rings and pits at campsites throughout the grounds. 

HOUGHTON — The Fourth of July weekend traditionally brings in people from across the country to the Keweenaw. This year, visitors will celebrate, along with local residents, America’s 250th birthday.

While local firework shows are available, residents and tourists launching backyard fireworks pose risk if safety precautions are not taken. Safety practices to avoid problems can also be said about campfires.

Here are some tips for safely celebrating America’s Semiquincentennial.

Fireworks safety

Houghton Fire Chief Eric James said Houghton’s residents are generally good about proper firework safety and are familiar with the laws. “Most people are pretty diligent about using the fireworks and using them properly,” James said.

According to city ordinances, there are specific times fireworks are permitted to be set off, and from where they need to be set off. James said if anyone is confused, just look up those ordinances and follow the rules.

“Fireworks are only permitted to be set off after 11 a.m., and they have to cease by 11:45 p.m.,” he said. “They have to be done on your own privately owned property, not on any public or state land.”

James said the fire department gets a minimal amount of calls about fires caused by setting off fireworks this time of year, but they do happen.

“You want to have water available, buckets of water to douse out or putting the duds in,” he said. “You want to have a hose that’s nearby and you only want to set off one at a time.”

Emergency rooms see an increase in firework-related injuries near the Fourth of July. According to a press release by Aspirus Health, fireworks pose a risk to those who do not follow proper safety precautions.

According to the releasze, “A 2025 report from the American Fireworks Standards Laboratory estimated that 13,004 fireworks-related injuries were treated in emergency departments across the United States.” “Locally and nationally, medical professionals emphasize that many of these injuries could be avoided with proper precautions.”

Aspirus Emergency Department PA-C Delaney Wulf said holiday celebrations continue to bring people to emergency rooms for improper use or firework accidents.

“Each year we continue to see firework injuries around the Fourth of July,” Wulf said. “As fireworks become more powerful and intense, the injuries we see are also becoming more severe and can be life-threatening.”

The release also notes children have a risk posed to them by not following proper protocol. Burns and eye injuries are common if fireworks are not handled properly with children present.

Campfire safety

According to the Michigan Department of Transportation, its estimated that more than 2.6 million Michiganders will be traveling this holiday weekend. Roads will be busier, but it also means more and more residents will be taking advantage of Michigan’s many parks and campgrounds.

Campfire safety is at the top of the Department of Natural Resources’s (DNR) mind this holiday weekend. Deputy Public Information Officer John Pepin said people need to always exercise caution when dealing with flames this time of year due to a variety of factors. “Almost nine out of ten wildfires are started by humans, one way or another,” he said. “They’re by in large preventable, if people are using safety and precautions with fire.”

Pepin said campfire safety is paramount when enjoying Michigan’s parks. “When it comes to a campfire itself, there are some best practices that we recommend for people,” he said. “Any time you’re gonna build a campfire, built it either in a fire ring or on top of gravel or mineral soil.”

When people are done enjoying a fire, Pepin advises park-goers to safely put the fire out and remain in the area until the flames are fully snuffed out. “When you’re putting out a fire, it’s important to dump some water on it and then stir the campfire,” he said. “Another one is when your fire is burning, watch for embers that can float out of a fire and ignite dry grass or leaves.”

Pepin added the DNR advises park-goers to not put plastic or any caustic material into campfires, and to be careful when using fire starters.