Keeping Muskegon Safe: Fireworks Safety, Local Rules, and Fire Risk for Summer Celebrations

June 9, 2026

This summer bring a historic milestone for our nation, celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, and right here in Muskegon, summer means community gatherings, beach days, and backyard celebrations.

While the Muskegon Fire Department always encourages residents to leave the big displays to the professionals, we know many will choose to celebrate with consumer fireworks at home. To keep our neighborhoods, state park areas, and beautiful lakeside environment safe, the City of Muskegon wants to remind everyone of safety tips, local legal boundaries, and daily fire safety lookups before the festivities begin.

Know the Local Rules (State Law & City Ordinance)

• Private Property Only: It is strictly illegal to discharge fireworks on public property, including city streets, sidewalks, school grounds, city parks, and our public beaches (like Pere Marquette). Fireworks may only be used on your own private property, or private property where you have explicit permission from the owner.

• Fines for Violations: Violating local fireworks ordinances carries a hefty civil fine of up to $1,000 in Michigan.

• Sobriety First: Operating fireworks while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is strictly prohibited by state law and carries fines up to $1,000.

• Age Restrictions: You must be 18 years or older to legally purchase, possess, or discharge consumer fireworks.

Check the Daily Fire Risk

• Look Up Active Restrictions: Dry weather can change local fire risk overnight. Before lighting any fireworks or sparklers, please check the state’s current conditions on the Michigan DNR Fire Alert page at michigan.gov/dnr/firealert.

• The Legal Connection to Fireworks: While the state’s fire monitoring tools focus on wildfire forecasting and yard debris burning, consumer fireworks rules are legally tied to these exact metrics. Under Michigan’s Fireworks Safety Act, if our region is flagged under a high-risk fire alert or temporary burn ban, fireworks are restricted because flying embers can easily spark a wildfire. You can view the live, interactive Great Lakes Fire and Fuels map for the Muskegon area directly at glff.mesowest.org/map/#/c4465,-8723,7/g0/mc/vadjc/s/n/zt.

Core Safety Reminders from the Fire Department

• Supervise the Kids: Never let young children play with or light fireworks. Even standard sparklers burn at temperatures over 2,000°F—hot enough to cause severe, immediate burns. Consider safer, kid-friendly alternatives like glowsticks, confetti, or popping streamers.

• Keep Your Distance: Never place any part of your body directly over a firework device when lighting it. Light them one at a time on a flat, paved surface away from homes, vehicles, overhanging trees, and dry grass.

• Be Prepared: Always keep a connected garden hose, a bucket of water, or a fire extinguisher within arm’s reach in case of an unexpected malfunction or small fire.

• Never Relight a “Dud”: If a firework fails to ignite fully, do not approach it or try to relight it. Let it sit for 20 minutes, then douse it entirely with water using your hose or a bucket.

• Dispose of Debris Safely: Once finished, soak all used fireworks and debris thoroughly in a bucket of water overnight. Dispose of them in a metal trash container kept outdoors, well away from your home or any structures that could catch fire.

• Be a Good Neighbor: Fireworks can be incredibly stressful for neighbors with young children, elderly family members, or military veterans experiencing PTSD. Be mindful of the noise, and check in on those around you.

• Protect Your Pets: The bright flashes and unpredictable booms terrify pets, making summer the peak season for lost dogs. Keep your pets securely indoors in a quiet room while fireworks are active.

Let’s look out for one another and protect our beautiful shoreline community. Have a safe, happy, and responsible summer season, Muskegon!