City, county to crack down on illegal fireworks

The City of Canyon Lake, along with the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department and Riverside County Fire Department/CalFire, are teaming up to crack down on the use of illegal fireworks during the upcoming holiday celebrations.

“All fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Riverside County,” Tyler Ferrari, City of Canyon Lake Management Analyst, said. “Remember, all fireworks are illegal, even ‘safe and sane’ fireworks. Fines for those caught with fireworks range from $500 to $5,000.”

The city will have its Code Enforcement Officers working on July 4, Tyler said, along with additional sheriff deputies, who will be patrolling the streets, parks, and the lake. They will be strictly enforcing the city’s ordinance prohibiting the use or possession of fireworks. This year, the Riverside County Fire Department is actively promoting the motto, “If you light it, we’ll write it.”

One of the consistently best Fireworks Shows in Southern California takes place annually in Canyon Lake. Professional fireworks, like this one at last year’s Canyon Lake show, are reliable and safe. Other personal fireworks are illegal and the city and county are enforcing their use this Independence Day.Friday Flyer File Photo.

“Leading up to and during last year’s 4th of July holiday,” Riverside County First District Supervisor Kevin Jeffries said, “the amount of fireworks being detonated in neighborhoods and wildland areas was so significant that the resulting residential and wildland fires (along with the normal police and fire response activity) far exceeded the response capacity of many emergency services.”

This year, Kevin said the county is organizing a much stronger prevention and enforcement effort to help reduce the fires, injuries and lost pets. Those caught with fireworks will be subject to a $1000 fine and confiscation of the fireworks for a first offense, with penalties increasing for repeat offenders.

“Even the property owner will be subject to the fines if their tenant hosts an illegal fireworks exhibition,” Kevin said. “This may seem harsh until you’ve seen first-hand the serious injuries and/or loss of properties and/or homes from fireworks.”

The Canyon Lake POA will be hosting its annual Fireworks Show on July 4 and it will begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. and they are launched from Skipper’s Island. Spectators can tune into 99.9 FM to hear music synchronized to the fireworks show from anywhere around the lake. From the Lodge patio area, Mike Shroyer of Good Time Entertainment will also be playing music leading up to the show, including a live performance of the American Anthem right before the show.

“The city encourages residents to enjoy a happy and safe Fourth of July by watching the POA fireworks show,” Tyler said. “For those unable to make it to this show, there are many others across Riverside County over the Fourth of July weekend.”

Illegal fireworks have sparked significant grassland fires over the past several Independence Day holidays, including those just outside of Canyon Lake’s North Gate.  Additionally, the El Dorado Fire burned over 22,000 acres in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties last year, destroyed 10 structures and killed a firefighter. The fire was ignited by a faulty pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party.

Last year, there were over 19,500 fires in the United States ignited by fireworks. Current drought conditions and high temperatures make this year’s holiday weekend even more of a concern to local law enforcement personnel..

To report a fireworks violation, individuals can call the non-emergency phone number for the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department: 951-776-1099, option 5.