Officials ask for vigilance over holiday weekend due to fireworks danger
- Lake County News reports
- Posted On
LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — While July 4 is synonymous with sun, fun, barbecuing and fireworks, this year’s extremely dry and hot conditions have authorities concerned for fire and injuries related to fireworks.
In the city of Lakeport, the only place where safe and sane fireworks are allowed in Lake County — and only between July 1 and 4 — Police Chief Brad Rasmussen and Fire Chief Jeffrey Thomas are asking community members to use particular care this year because of conditions.
During the city’s July 4 celebration, a special area will be set up on Fourth Street at Library Park for the discharge of safe and sane fireworks.
Rasmussen and Thomas also are partnering to put a team of a firefighter and a police officer on the street on July 4 to attempt to catch people setting off dangerous or illegal fireworks in the city.
Cal Fire also is reminding everyone to do their part to have a safe holiday and help prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks.
The National Fire Protection Association reports that two out of five fires on July 4 are caused by fireworks, more than any other cause of fires.
Most of these incidents are related to the use of illegal fireworks and the misuse of legal fireworks.
Sparklers, which can reach temperatures of 2,000 degrees, account for roughly 25% of emergency room visits for firework injuries, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Fifty-eight percent of the emergency department-treated injuries were burns. Burns were the most common injury to hands, fingers, arms and legs. One-third were to the eye or other parts of the head. Children younger than 15 years of age accounted for 36% of the estimated fireworks-related injuries, officials reported.
“With the lack of significant rain over the winter months, and now the dry, hot temperatures, wildfire activity is quickly picking up," said Chief Thom Porter, Cal Fire director. "Residents need to understand the dangers associated with the use of illegal fireworks or misuse of legal fireworks. Here in California, we have a zero tolerance for the use and sale of illegal fireworks. Any person can be held liable for the firefighting costs as well as property damage costs associated with the start of a fire.”
Cal Fire and Office of the State Fire Marshal law enforcement personnel have been conducting targeted interdiction operations at ports of entry into the State of California throughout 2021.
With just days left before the July 4 holiday, Cal Fire and local enforcement agencies continue to seize tens of thousands of pounds of illegal fireworks and enforce the state’s fireworks laws.
“There are major legal consequences when it comes to using, transporting or even being in possession of illegal fireworks,” said Chief Mike Richwine, California State fire marshal.
“Possession of illegal fireworks such as skyrockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other types that explode, travel through the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner can lead to a possible fine of up to $50,000 as well as prison time or jail for up to one year,” Richwine said. “Even ‘safe and sane’ fireworks taken into a city or county where they are banned are considered illegal. Before purchasing these types of fireworks, be sure to check your local ordinances and follow the instructions to avoid accidents and injuries.”