Despite the damp winter conditions, the use of personal fireworks remains illegal in Portland, as it has since the City Council passed an ordinance in March 2022. This New Year’s Eve, Portland Fire and Rescue (PF&R) and the Portland Bureau of Emergency Communications (BOEC) ask everyone within city limits to obey the ban and report violators through an online form instead of 9-1-1. As an alternative, people can attend a free New Year’s illuminated Eve Drone Show at Pioneer Courthouse Square.
Three years ago, the Portland City Council passed a consumer fireworks prohibition unanimously, in part due to a fatal fireworks fire the previous year and in reaction to the Eagle Creek Fire in the gorge, which started with the use of personal fireworks. Fire departments regularly experience a spike in injuries, fires, and fatalities during the fireworks season, which runs from June 23rd through July 6th. To a smaller degree, New Year’s Eve celebrations can replicate those mid-summer problems. People with pets also report significant stress inflicted on their animals due to fireworks, with some dogs and cats becoming separated from their owners when they run away from the explosive sounds. However, calling emergency services for fireworks use alone can overload the system, impacting firefighting and injury response times.
To limit the impact on BOEC staff answering 9-1-1 calls, the city launched a reporting form at portland.gov/fireworks in July 2025. The form collects information about fireworks use to assist officials in identifying hotspots and later to support public education about Portland’s fireworks ban. People can use the same form this New Year’s Eve or call 3-1-1. Non-English-speaking Portlanders can request a bilingual speaker to join the call for assistance. The City reports that increased staffing, public education, and the reporting form reduced 9-1-1 calls by 13 percent during the 2025 July 4th holiday, improving public safety response times by allowing dispatchers to focus on emergency calls. Additionally, the average wait time that day was 8 seconds, down from 26 seconds in 2024 and 70 seconds in 2023.
To help Portlanders celebrate responsibly, the City will provide two free New Year’s Eve illuminated Drone Shows downtown at Pioneer Courthouse Square. Activities start at 8 p.m. December 31st with a “Video Dance Attack Party.” Then, at 9 p.m., people who don’t want to stay out late can view a family-friendly drone show. For those wanting an official countdown, the second drone show starts just before midnight. Food and beverage vendors will sell refreshments throughout the event, which concludes at 12:30 a.m. on January 1st, 2026. Planners encouraged attendees to take TriMet to the event and to stay safe as they head into 2026.
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