Laninga's Travel Blog

One of the benefits of volunteering at Fort Vancouver is being able to get a ringside seat for the 4th of July fireworks. No small thing; the annual Fort Vancouver fireworks are rated in the top 10 in the country.

This year, we were asked to also assist in the firewatch, which means outside the fort walls, right near the launch point. In fact, we had to stay clear of the road for fire trucks, if they were needed. What surprised me how much fire was on the ground; all that fireworks and dry grass makes for a good bonfire! But nothing was out of control, and they were quickly suppressed.

We did get a spectacular view of the fireworks. And yes, we were so close we had to wear ear plugs.

Spectacular bursts

Going up!

Truly spectacular

Multiple starbursts

Starburst

Quite a few fires on the ground