Illegal fireworks reports at all-time high

A record amount of incidents involving fireworks, which are illegal in Canyon Lake and throughout Riverside County, were reported this month. Hundreds of calls to 911 reporting fireworks and several subsequent brush fires started from fireworks kept Riverside County law enforcement busy.

These illegal fireworks are typically most popular during the Independence Day celebration. This year, their use has continued throughout the month and into the dangerous dry season the summer brings.

Law enforcement is concerned not only because illegal fireworks are dangerous to use and can cause significant injury to those using them, but because they cause unhealthy air quality and spark wildfires. Incidents involving fireworks were higher than ever this year, perhaps because many public firework shows had to be cancelled.

Late Friday evening and into Saturday morning, a brush fire outside Canyon Lake’s North Gate was reportedly started by the illegal use of fireworks. The fire, on BLM land, occurred where grassland fuel is particularly prevalent and can spread quickly. Firefighters quickly responded to the fire and with the help of non-existent wind, were able to control the fire and eventually extinguish it.

Flames are visible just outside the north boundary of Canyon Lake Friday night in the BLM land there. This photo was taken from Cherryl Markovich’s deck which backs up to the BLM land on Scout Court. The fire was extinguished without spreading dangerously to adjoining hills. It is believed the fire was started by young people playing with illegal fireworks by the North Gate. Photo by Cherryl Markovich

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Cal Fire have additional patrol personnel throughout the city and county around the holiday and enforce violations for any person caught with fireworks. Violators of fireworks laws will be prosecuted and are subject to confiscation of fireworks, arrest, citation, and/or fines. A combination of fines for the use of illegal fireworks can cost up to $3,500 and as much as a year in jail. Obviously, if the fireworks cause fires and injury, the penalties can be substantially higher.

“We would like to remind our communities that it is illegal to possess, discharge or sell fireworks,” Sheriff Chad Bianco said. ”All fireworks, including some sparklers, are illegal in Riverside County. Every year fireworks cause major damage and tragedies. Fireworks can also cause serious injuries to people, pets and livestock.”

California Fire Marshal-approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks are also illegal in the City of Canyon Lake and all unincorporated areas of Riverside County.

“We’d like to remind residents that setting off fireworks is not only illegal because of personal injury risk, but also because it poses a very real threat to our community as we are in an area susceptible to wildfires,” Canyon Lake City Manager Chris Mann said. “We encourage Canyon Lakers to abide by the law and stay safe.”

The city’s ordinance, which has been in place since 2007, prohibits fireworks of any kind. Sparklers more than 10 inches in length or more than a quarter inch in diameter are included in the ordinance. Violating the city ordinance is a misdemeanor punishable by a fine of up to $1,000, imprisonment in county jail for up to one year, or both fine and imprisonment.

The city fireworks ordinance specifically says, “No person shall have in his possession, or keep, store, use, shoot, discharge, set-off, ignite, explode, manufacture, sell, offer to sell, give, or transport any Fireworks, Dangerous Fireworks, or Safe and Sane Fireworks…”

Riverside County has very diverse terrain with dry vegetation where fireworks can easily become a major threat to the community, the Sheriff Department said.

“Individuals who cause fires by using illegal fireworks will be held responsible for all suppression costs,” Sheriff Bianco said. “These costs can run up to millions of dollars.”

Anyone observing the illegal use of fireworks is urged by the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department to immediately call its dispatch at 951-776-1099. For all immediate threats to life or property, of course, individuals should always dial 911.