More
Email signup

Multiple people injured in house fires on Fourth of July

A fire broke out in a home on Stuart Court in Herndon around midnight (via FCFRD/Twitter)

The Fourth of July kept the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department busy, as at least three people were injured in fires that cropped up overnight.

One person was injured in a fire that broke out in Herndon around midnight today (Wednesday).

The fire engulfed the home on the 650 block of Stuart Court shortly after July 4 celebrations wrapped up in the area.

One individual was hospitalized for non-life threatening injuries, according to the FCFRD.

A spokesperson for FCFRD told FFXnow that the cause of the fire is not yet known.

“Fire investigators are still conducting their investigation. I do not have a cause at this time,” the spokesperson said.

A resident reported that Fourth of July fireworks were underway in the neighborhood, but it’s unclear for now whether those were connected to the fire at all.

The fire was one of nine outside fires, two house fires and one apartment fire that broke out on or around July 4, the fire department reported.

Another two people were hospitalized for non-life-threatening injuries in a two-alarm house fire on the 12300 block of Firestone Court in the Fair Oaks area around midnight.

While the cause of the fires is currently unknown, the FCFRD encouraged the community to properly dispose of fireworks by completely soaking them in a bucket of water overnight before getting rid of them.

0 Comments

Here’s where to watch fireworks this Fourth of July in Fairfax County

Fireworks shows return to Fairfax County for Fourth of July (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Fourth of July may be on a Tuesday this year, but Fairfax County residents can celebrate with fireworks starting this weekend.

On Tuesday, it’s possible to see the National Mall fireworks from locations along the George Washington Memorial Parkway. But fireworks shows will light up the skies around Fairfax County, too.

Here’s a roundup of fireworks events starting tomorrow (Saturday).

Saturday, July 1

Sunday, July 2

Tuesday, July 4 

  • Town of Herndon Fireworks at Bready Park (814 Ferndale Avenue): activities start at 6:30 p.m., free
  • An American Celebration at Mount Vernon (3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway): activities start at 9:30 a.m., event covered with regular admission of $26 for ages 12 and up, $13 for ages 6 to 11, and free for children 5 and under
  • Fireworks & Fun at Turner Farm Park (925 Springvale Road, Great Falls): activities start at 6 p.m., free with suggested $20 per family donation
0 Comments

Vienna’s Independence Day fireworks will be unleashed early again

A crowd at Yeonas Park waits for fireworks during Vienna’s Fourth of July celebration (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Vienna will hold its big Fourth of July celebration two days early this year, the second in a row that has required a scheduling change.

The festivities at Yeonas Park (1319 Ross Drive SW) had to be moved up to Sunday, July 2, due to continued staffing shortages in the fireworks industry, the town announced on Monday (May 1).

“We are disappointed that we were again unable to secure a fireworks company for the traditional 4th of July event this year,” Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman said. “While July 2 is not our preferred date, we are excited to contract with Garden State Fireworks to provide the fireworks display for the Town’s Independence Day Celebration.”

Garden State Fireworks was secured for July 4 by the National Park Service to provide its annual pyrotechnic display at the National Mall in D.C., according to Herman.

Held on July 1, 2022, Vienna’s Fourth of July celebration wasn’t the only one moved outside of the official holiday last year, as staff limitations also affected events in Reston, McLean and Fairfax City. The McLean Community Center’s July 2 display ultimately got washed out by rain.

Though it’s taking place a little early again, Vienna’s celebration will feature all of the usual attractions, including live music, kids’ entertainment, and games starting at 4 p.m. Food and drinks will be available from food trucks and a concession stand run by Vienna Little League.

The fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m. and last 20 minutes, launching from adjacent Southside Park.

More information about what’s permitted at the event, parking and street closures can be found on the town’s website.

0 Comments

McLean Community Center issues apology for Fourth of July fireworks cancellation

A sign for the McLean Community Center (file photo)

This weekend, McLean got its first Fourth of July fireworks since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020 — only no one was around to see them.

The McLean Community Center held its annual Independence Day Celebration at Langley High School on Saturday (July 2) to accommodate a staffing shortage at its fireworks vendor, an issue that affected several other Fourth of July events in the area as well.

However, instead of watching pyrotechnics light up the night sky, attendees wound up scrambling for cover amid a downpour that ultimately led to a cancellation, MCC said today (Wednesday).

“Though we had held off having the show in hopes of the forecasts being inaccurate, it became clear that the show now had to be canceled,” the community center said in its message. “In the flurry to keep people and property safe, we neglected to let you, our beloved patrons, know what had happened on our website and social media. We regret it and apologize for the oversight.”

Adding to the confusion was the fact that the fireworks were unleashed after all once the rain had dissipated.

MCC says the vendor had to shoot off the fireworks, since they had already been set up and couldn’t be transported.

“This was not a show, this was a necessary safety measure to ensure there were no fireworks remaining on the field,” MCC said. “This detonation was carried out in coordination with the safety officials and pyrotechnicians on-site.”

The organization apologized for the lack of communication with the community, stating that it has “put safeguards in effect” to prevent similar issues in the future.

Though rain had been in the forecast for Saturday night, the community center was unable to schedule a possible rain date due to the vendor’s staffing shortage, MCC Executive Director Daniel Singh said in a statement to FFXnow.

Some parts of the D.C. area saw as much as six to eight inches of rain that night. McLean was among the locations put under flash flood warnings, though the National Weather Service’s unofficial rainfall totals don’t include a report for Fairfax County.

0 Comments

Fourth of July 2022: What’s open and closed in Fairfax County for the holiday

Closed sign (via Tim Mossholder/Unsplash)

While it won’t be quiet around Fairfax County on Monday with Fourth of July celebrations, many government offices and facilities will be closed.

Government offices, and some businesses, are closed for the Independence Day holiday. Public transportation schedules may be lighter and public services, like trash collection, may be changed. See our listing below to get details on what will be open and closed.

Government

Fairfax County government offices will be closed Monday (July 4) in recognition of the Fourth of July holiday, but some facilities are open and schedules vary.

The library system’s branches will be closed on Monday. Animal Control is closed, as it normally is, on Mondays.

The Circuit and District courts will be closed Monday.

The Town of Herndon offices will be closed Monday.

Park Authority

All Park Authority rec centers and golf centers and will be open Monday. Historic sites, nature centers and Green Spring Gardens will be closed. Frying Pan Farm Park Farm and indoor arena will be open while its visitor center will be closed. The River Bend Park Visitor Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

All Neighborhood and Community Service facilities will be closed Saturday (July 2) through Monday. Reston Community Center Hunter Woods will be open Monday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Lake Anne will be closed on Monday.

The McLean Community Center will be closed.

Herndon Community Center will be closed Monday. But Herndon Centennial Golf Course will be open from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., weather permitting.

Transportation

Fairfax Connector will operate on a Saturday service schedule on Monday. Human Services Transportation (FASTRAN) will not operate on Monday.

On Monday, Metrorail will open at 7 a.m. and close at midnight but last train times vary by station. The Orange Line trains will operate between Vienna and Stadium-Armory only, according to Metro, but free express and local shuttle buses will be provided.

Trash

The county advises residents to contact their trash and recycling collector directly for service schedule changes due to the holiday.

The I-66 Transfer Station and I-95 Landfill Complex will be closed Monday.

Town of Herndon recycling will be collected Tuesday (July 5) since it is normally collected Monday.

0 Comments

Where to celebrate Fourth of July, watch fireworks in Fairfax County

Fourth of July fireworks (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

(Updated at 4:05 p.m.) This weekend through next week is set to be full of fireworks, parades and celebrations for the Fourth of July.

In D.C., the National Parade returns for the first time since 2019 after the Covid pandemic canceled the festivities in 2020 and 2021. Nearby, the City of Alexandria is holding its annual birthday celebration on Saturday, July 9, after it was canceled in 2020 due to COVID-19, and scaled back last year.

Throughout Fairfax County, there are also plenty of parades and fireworks if you don’t want to go too far. Here’s a roundup of things to do for the holiday.

Friday, July 1

Saturday, July 2

Monday, July 4

Tuesday, July 5

  • City of Fairfax Independence Day Evening Show with fireworks at Fairfax High School’s front parking lot (3501 Lion Run, Fairfax), 6:30- 9:30 p.m. (Correction: Fairfax City’s fireworks show was erroneously listed under July 4.)
0 Comments

Town of Herndon prepares for July 4 celebration

Fourth of July fireworks (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, the Town of Herndon is looking ahead to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks, activities and entertainment.

The town’s July 4 celebration, which is set for 6:30-10 p.m. that Monday, will feature live entertainment by Hipshack, a band that will perform party songs and modern hits. Fireworks will begin at 9:30 p.m.

A tentative rain date for the fireworks is set for the next day at 9:30 p.m.

Town staff note that traffic will be rerouted at the event, which is located at 814 Ferndale Avenue around the Herndon Community Center and Bready Park Softball Field.

Admission is free.

Motorists should expect significant detours and changes to traffic routes in the area until the fireworks display is finished. Individuals parked at the community center won’t be able to exit until given the all clear by the fire marshal and Herndon Police Department.

Ferndale Avenue will be closed to through traffic from Vine Street to Barton Oaks once parking lots are filled. The lots will remain closed until the show is completed, with the exemption of access for ADA-friendly parking.

Here’s more from the town on planned traffic adjustments:

Herndon Parkway will be reduced to one lane approaching Ferndale Avenue;

No turns from Herndon Parkway onto Ferndale Avenue will be permitted;

Elden Street southbound into town at Monroe Street will be closed during this period and all traffic must turn right onto Monroe Street;

Elden Street traffic northbound at Alabama Drive will be re-routed;

Herndon Middle School traffic exiting from 5th Street must turn left (west) on Locust Street and may only then turn left (south) onto Elden Street;

Locust Street access will be restricted on School, Spruce and Grace  Streets;

St Joseph’s Church parking lot will exit onto Peachtree Street and may turn left only onto Elden Street;

Bready Park softball and Herndon Centennial Golf Course parking lots will exit onto Ferndale Avenue towards Herndon Parkway only

Ferndale Avenue traffic will turn right only onto Park Avenue or Herndon  Parkway;

Sterling Road (Route 606) southbound from Herndon Parkway, is restricted to local access only;

Crestview Drive – no access to Sterling Road from Bayshire Lane;

Vine Street will be closed from Ferndale Avenue to Grace Street;

Main Drive will be closed.

Town staff encourage residents to leave their pets at home and bring a blanket or lawn chair. Coolers and bags are subject to searches and alcohol, glass containers and personal fireworks are not allowed.

For fireworks viewing only, it’s best to nab a spot at the Station Street municipal parking lot and watch from the town green. Food is not allowed on the turf field.

0 Comments

Morning Notes

A busy bee in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

A Few Sidelined Metro Trains Return Today — “Metro has previously said riders will first see the trains on the Green and Yellow lines. The transit agency says once they’ve established a ‘steady rhythm of inspections and consistently delivered eight trains for daily service,’ they will increase service on the Blue, Orange, and Silver lines to every 15 minutes” [DCist]

D.C. Woman Believed to Be New Victim of Alleged Serial Killer — “A spokesperson with the Metropolitan Police Department told WTOP that ‘shopping cart killer‘ suspect Anthony Eugene Robinson is a person of interest in the death of Sonya Champ…found by police around 11:30 a.m. Sept. 7, 2021.” [Patch]

Dulles Toll Road May Phase Out Coins — “MWAA officials say the shift to an all-electronic system will reduce emissions from vehicles idling at the toll plaza. The shift to all-electronic tolling, expected to take place in January, comes as MWAA is considering the first toll increase for Dulles Toll Road users since 2019.” [The Washington Post]

School Board Vote on Student Phone Use Tonight — “Under a proposed revision to the ‘Student Rights and Responsibilities’ handbook, cellphone use for most students would be prohibited during all classes as well as visits to the bathrooms and locker rooms…A  vote on the handbook for next year is scheduled for Thursday night.” [WTOP]

West Springfield Baseball Player Goes Viral — Eric Fila, a catcher for West Springfield High School, shook hands with the home plate umpire after his team lost to Herndon High School in the 10th inning of a June 7 game in the Virginia state tournament quarterfinals. Video of the gesture was posted on Twitter and went viral, even airing during a Phillies-Brewers broadcast. [The Washington Post]

Virtual Mental Health Services Available for Students — “Through August 5, the FCPS Office of Intervention and Prevention Services will offer virtual mental wellness consultations. Parents and students can schedule a 45-minute consultation with a school psychologist or school social worker by phone or videoconference.” [FCPS]

McLean Community Center Reschedules Fourth of July — The center’s annual Independence Day celebration will now take place at Langley High School from 6:30-10:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 2. Vienna and Fairfax City have also moved events off of July 4 due to staffing shortages at the company that conducts their fireworks shows. [MCC/Twitter]

Inside Tysons Corner Center’s Princess Diana Exhibit — “Princess Diana: Accredited Access Exhibit takes a look at Diana’s life as a royal, seen through the eyes of [royal photographer Anwar] Hussein. His work — including never-before-seen photographs of the princess — is presented next to photos taken by his sons Samir and Zak, who both work as royal photographers today.” [Washington City Paper]

It’s Thursday — Possible light rain in the morning and overnight. High of 86 and low of 71. Sunrise at 5:44 am and sunset at 8:38 pm. [Weather.gov]

0 Comments

Vienna’s Fourth of July celebration won’t be on July 4

Signs on Maple Avenue advertising Vienna’s 2021 Fourth of July celebration (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

The Town of Vienna’s Independence Day celebration will arrive a little early this year.

A staff shortage at the company that provides fireworks for the annual Fourth of July festivities led Vienna to reschedule the event for July 1 to avoid having to cancel it altogether, the town announced late Friday (June 3).

“As much as we were looking forward to celebrating on the 4th of July, the company that provides the fireworks show explained that a shortage of licensed pyrotechnic staff made it impossible to meet the demand for that day, and the company had to cancel multiple contracts, including ours,” Vienna Parks and Recreation Director Leslie Herman said in the news release. “Rather than cancel the event altogether, we worked with the company to find an alternate date, and fortunately the U.S. Navy Concert Band was able to reschedule, too.”

The celebration will take place at Yeonas Park (1319 Ross Drive) as usual, with live music starting at 8 p.m. and a 20-minute fireworks display kicking off at 9:30 p.m. from Southside Park (1317 Ross Drive SW).

The Vienna Little League will open its concession stand, and the town encourages attendees to bring blankets and lawn chairs, though the latter won’t be allowed on the baseball fields. Alcohol, glass containers, sparklers, and dogs will be prohibited.

Parking will be available at Thoreau Middle School and Cedar Park Shopping Center, with spaces for people with disabilities on Patrick Street and Patrick Circle, according to the town’s website.

There will be closures on Patrick and George streets as well as Ross Drive from 7 to 11 p.m.

0 Comments
×

Subscribe to our mailing list