Communities Warn Against Illegal Fireworks this Fourth of July
By edhat staff
Fire Departments and City Officials warn against illegal fireworks this Fourth of July holiday.
The Fire Chiefs Association of Santa Barbara County reminds the public that all fireworks, including the so-called “safe and sane“ variety, are illegal in all areas of Santa Barbara County. However, Lompoc and Santa Maria have local rules regarding fireworks within their jurisdiction.
Each July Fourth, thousands of people, most often children and teens, are injured while using legal and illegal fireworks. Despite the dangers of fireworks, few people understand the associated risks- devastating burns, injuries, fires and even death can occur, the Fire Chiefs Association reports.
It's recommended that the best way to view fireworks is to attend one of the public fireworks displays conducted by professional pyro technicians. Legal and illegal fireworks put us all at risk because they can easily lead to fires. Especially during our current dry, high fire season conditions.
The City of Goleta is released a video message featuring Goleta’s Mayor Paula Perotte, Santa Barbara County Fire Chief Mark Hartwig and Goleta Chief of Police Services, Lt. Rich Brittingham urging community members to celebrate Independence Day without illegal fireworks.
To report illegal fireworks, call the non-emergency dispatch line at 805-683-2724.
CAL FIRE reports State Fire Marshal’s specialized Arson and Bomb Investigators have been providing intelligence and support to local and federal illegal fireworks enforcement efforts over the past few months. These operations have seized tens of thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks.
“Fire conditions are elevated, and the 4th of July, along with the use of fireworks, only increases the risk for wildfires,” said Chief Joe Tyler, CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief. “It is critical that Californians be vigilant and consider leaving the fireworks to the professionals.”
It is illegal to sell, transport, or use fireworks that do not carry the “Safe and Sane” seal, as well as possess or use fireworks in a community where they are not permitted. If convicted, a violator could be fined up to $50,000, as well as be sent to jail for up to one year. Parents are liable for any damage or injuries caused by their children using fireworks.
Illegal fireworks include:
- Skyrockets
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Aerial shells
- Firecrackers
- Other fireworks that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner
“Already this year our Arson and Bomb Investigators and Law Enforcement Officers have been busy assisting with numerous illegal fireworks enforcement operations,” said Chief Mike Richwine, California State Fire Marshal. “We have a zero-tolerance stance toward the use, possession, and transportation of illegal fireworks. Even ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks are banned in many communities and bring stiff fines for their illegal use.”
CAL FIRE is offering the public the following fireworks precautions:
- If using “Safe and Sane Fireworks, first check they are allowed in the area of use.
- Make sure the firework has the State Fire Marshal “Safe and Sane” seal on it.
- Have a bucket of water and garden hose available at firing site. During this drought it is recommend you use a bucket of gray/reused water to submerse your firework after its used to fully extinguish it.
- Read all instructions before use.
- Never alter, modify, or enhance fireworks – use only in the manner intended.
- Make sure fireworks have proper clearance from flammable materials including dry grass and brush.
To learn more about fireworks safety, visit www.ReadyForWildfire.org/more/fireworks-safety/
Comments Penalty Box
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Jun 27, 2022 04:15 PMYou’d think these people have never had fun in their lives
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Jun 27, 2022 04:48 PMSeriously! Live a little, people
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Jun 28, 2022 06:52 AMUnauthorized fun is not permitted.
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Jun 29, 2022 06:48 AMImagine just how stupid people have to be to make these comments after reading this article.
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Jun 27, 2022 04:27 PMHow many fires have been caused by "Safe and Sane" sparklers, fountains, worms, etc?
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Jun 27, 2022 04:51 PMSac - Right? I don’t think one snippet of the footage of fires was from SB
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Jun 27, 2022 04:54 PMIt's really too much. I can understand airborne/flying/large scale fireworks being banned, but those snakes? Sparklers? Spinners? I lit of a little ground spinner/flower in a large driveway with the hose on and in hand and a neighbor lost their mind and threatened to call the cops. Go for it. Still gonna do it though!
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Jun 28, 2022 07:32 AMScientists are finding unprecedented levels of dryness in plant fauna, a theme that repeats itself nearly every year. We are in a drought. We cannot afford to waste water on preventable fires. Rents are at all time highs, inflation is massive, people cannot afford to lose their homes, even temporarily right now. This is not the time to run some harebrained experiment to get bigger fireworks into the hands of the general public. Be smarter.
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Jun 28, 2022 11:12 AM7:32 - Why do you keep saying I'm advocating for "bigger fireworks?" Where did I say anything like that? I'm talking about being able to use the tiny little spark fountains, sparkler sticks, charcoal snakes, 4-second ground flowers, etc.
I get we're in a serious drought and high fire season, but do these tiny little things cause fires when lit in parking lots or people's driveways? No, I don't think so.
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Jun 28, 2022 02:44 PMSAC, you wildly overestimate the behavior of your fellow humans. Maybe YOU will light them in a parking lot. The average person? Yeah right. There is no good reason to make dangerous fireworks legal, bigger or not. Common sense isn't that common.
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Jun 27, 2022 04:55 PM“Fireworks are not fun for pets or people with noise sensitivities”
*Throws massive fireworks show at the harbor and Girsh yearly*
Also it’s ridiculous they throw a generic clip of older, decorated veterans on at the post that they mention this. It’s actually insensitive and downright offensive and makes fun of the typical trope of fireworks causing PTSD flashbacks in veterans who have been shelled or close to explosions. It’s seriously a bigoted move on Perrote, Hartwig and Brittonghams part for promoting this type of cottage, and also whoever made the clip. Those people should have to take some basic public outreach courses. I’m surprised she somehow won an election.
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Jun 27, 2022 04:56 PMEdit: this type of footage. Not cottage
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Jun 28, 2022 11:03 AMWho would have guessed that the three stars of this video had edhat accounts?
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Jun 27, 2022 05:00 PMWe can buy/sell/possess semi-automatic rifles, but we can't light a sparkler or charcoal snake?
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Jun 27, 2022 05:27 PMI agree sac. It’s ridiculous. We need to loosen up California’s fireworks laws. However, I think there is something special about illegal fireworks that makes the fourth all the more exciting. It seems a fitting way to carry on the spirit of rebellion that led to our country’s creation in the first place.
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Jun 27, 2022 05:50 PMNo surprise that today's cons don't believe in the rule of law.
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Jun 27, 2022 06:01 PM5:50 - I'm hardly a "con" lol!
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Jun 28, 2022 07:27 AMAre you serious? Bigger fireworks = bigger fire risk and louder disruptions. No thank you. It's crazy how many thank our service members on this day, yet fail to acknowledge the PTSD they have as a result and the massive, sad effect fireworks have on our veterans. Use your common sense and have some compassion. The reasons against bigger fireworks are obvious, numerous, and reasonable.
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Jun 28, 2022 11:09 AM"Bigger fireworks = bigger fire risk and louder disruptions. " - you mean like sparklers and charcoal snakes? That's all I was talking about.
Wowzers! Did I hit a nerve expressing my desire to light a sparkler this year? LOL!
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Jun 28, 2022 05:57 PMCareful sac, it doesn’t take much to be a “con” these days
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Jul 03, 2022 10:36 AMThe same spirit of rebellion, Chip and SacJon, that led to January 6, 2021? I don't know what a charcoal snake is, but the loud dog (and PTSD vets)-scaring fireworks should not be blasting in the neighborhoods every night or any night.
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Jun 27, 2022 09:24 PMIs there a non-emergency dispatch number for illegal fireworks for Santa Barbara City? ...There have been a lot recently on the eastside, although not the last couple of days with a lot of publicity on NextDoor, and there always are on the 4th by those who prefer to scare their neighbors and neighbors' pets than go to see the show at the harbor.
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Jun 28, 2022 12:02 AM3 booming explosions heard in San Roque tonight 11:59-midnight. I hear the ones complained about here, these seemed much, much closer. If only they could be located...
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Jun 28, 2022 12:03 AMSanta Barbara Police Non-Emergency Dispatch, 805-882-8900
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Jun 28, 2022 06:47 AMOh no! Somebody call the fun police
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Jun 28, 2022 03:53 PMI heard another at 1:47 a.m.
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Jun 28, 2022 07:41 AMNot feeling much like celebrating America right now anyhow :/
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Jun 28, 2022 11:07 AM7:41 - Same. I usually get ultra patriotic this time of year, but just can't muster it after all the BS.
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Jun 28, 2022 08:07 AMA thought:
Buy 2 bags of pet food for a shelter instead of fireworks.
Make a difference instead of a noise.
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Jun 28, 2022 01:51 PMCan’t wait to see the 15 count indictment including domestic terrorism by the incomparable dud lop for the first kid who ignited a snake.
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Jun 28, 2022 03:06 PMThere is nothing harmless or fun about people setting off loud booming fireworks at 11pm, midnight, 1am in a residential neighborhood on a worknight, or any other night. This week is AWFUL, not just for pets but for those of us that want to sleep and not be awakened by booms that rattle our windows. There is nothing fun about it, it's rude, inconsiderate and harmful. And it also scares many animals, including my dog. Not cool SB
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Jun 28, 2022 10:23 PMGrrrrr! damit and them. 2 so far, dogs barking. Grrrr!
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Jun 29, 2022 02:32 AMIt appears that the City of Goleta has prioritized producing videos and hiring additional staff over maintaining roads and repairing infrastructure (the City of Goleta's workforce has grown from 74.93 FTE in FY 18-19 to a proposed 114.78 FTE next fiscal year). A significant increase in Goleta's sales tax is the logical next step.
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Jun 29, 2022 08:53 AMPETE - I'm pretty sure the City of Goleta is capable of doing more than 1 thing at a time. So funny when people say stuff like this. "Oh look, XYZ was in a parade/video/doing anything other than the one thing I'm concerned about, so they clearly aren't concerned about anything else."
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Jun 29, 2022 09:36 PMDear Mr. Stronzo,
I'm sorry, but upon first reading, I thought your post was in the wrong thread. But that's because I live in SB City. But I worked in Goleta/unincorporated county for decades.
I do believe that informative videos are small beans, small spending, when the staff already exists. I'm more upset that the SB County "Safety for Pets on 4th of July" didn't push the Animal Services line on pet micro-chipping. I can appreciate your fear of growing city employee numbers.
Thanks for efforts regarding citizens' interests. Keep your pets safe!
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Jun 29, 2022 09:30 AMIn 2019 alone there were 34 fires started by "safe & sane" fireworks, with one fatality. Not sure why anyone would think for a moment that something on fire could not cause a fire. Whenever matches/lighter/punks are present, so is the potential for fire. "Really?" .....yes, really. I won't use the term that MarcelK used, but......the shoe fits (so to speak).
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Jun 29, 2022 09:31 PMfirst booming explosion at 9:27 tonight, I think it's somewhere above Foothill near Ontare or the Laurel Canyon reservoir.
Getting earlier every night.
Anyone have advice on tracking? Anyone in the neighborhood? I'm actually pretty far away, I think.
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Jun 30, 2022 01:34 AMJust sharing local info:
https://www.noozhawk.com/article/santa_maria_adds_aerial_tool_to_nab_firework_scofflaws
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Jun 30, 2022 02:19 AMIn case those with pets aren't paying attention:
"9pm - 9:20pm: Fireworks!
Presented by Garden State Fireworks and sponsored by the City of Santa Barbara Waterfront Department. Fireworks soundtrack will be simulcast on local radio station 92.9 FM KjEE."
HA! Just heard a loud, booming firework at 2:17, after multiple cop and fire engines in the area. Nothing will stop the jerks.
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Jul 01, 2022 12:08 AMMy wife and I relocated here from the East Coast nearly fifty years ago. Over all those years, I have never understood why so-called "safe and sane" fireworks, or fireworks of any kind are ever sold in California, anywhere! We live in a desert, and for most of our time living here, we have been dealing with extreme drought conditions. We have experienced horrific fires that have destroyed many of our neighbors homes, some of whom I knew quite well. What can possibly justify selling incendiary devices that in no way are "safe and sane," particularly in our current extreme fire-prone situation? This practice of selling fireworks must stop. NOW!
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Jul 01, 2022 11:41 PMHappy July. A new mix of explosions, started in the 9 p.m. hour. Oh joy... Not.
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Jul 03, 2022 01:47 AMSadly, people cannot be trusted.
"This is why nobody should be using fireworks this 4th of July."
Graph in link.
https://twitter.com/COweatherman/status/1542537190655332354?cxt=HHwWhMC43d7ZmOgqAAAA