BEAVERTON, Ore. -- Police and fire crews said that the hot, dry weather makes it even more important that people remember to be safe with fireworks this Fourth of July.

Oregon law bans the possession, use or sale of fireworks that fly, explode or travel more than 6 feet on the ground, or 12 inches into the air, which includes bottle rockets, roman candles and firecrackers. Anyone who violates that law could be forced to pay a $500 fine.

Firefighters said people need to be aware that fireworks aren't only dangerous to people, they can also spark a fire.

"The illegal fireworks and to some extent the legal ones, they don't land on your property. They land on someone else's property. And right now, bark dust that isn't irrigated is dry down to about four inches. And once that lights, it spreads, the wind kicks up the embers and that can light a fire in the middle of the night," said Lt. Allen Oswalt of the Portland Fire Bureau.

Because it's been so dry lately and the weather will be so hot for the next few days, firefighters said if a firework gets away it could quickly start a fire.

Fire officials said that when people are lighting off fireworks it's important to have a hose and a bucket of water nearby to douse them when they're done.

Fire experts said another way to minimize fire danger around homes is to clean out dry leaves and twigs from gutters and keep grass and surrounding property saturated with water.

Firefighters said the Portland area isn't at the highest alert for fire danger yet, but they expect that it will only get worse in the next few days.

Hot Days Raise Fourth Of July Fire Danger