Fourth of July Reminder from Cal Fire: Fireworks Illegal in Riverside County

Fireworks are illegal in Riverside County, and Cal Fire-Riverside County officials are taking steps to remind residents and visitors of the law.

The sale, purchase, transport, storage or use of fireworks in Riverside County is unlawful - except in Blythe, Coachella, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs and Indio, according to Cal Fire.

Those five cities allow the sale and use of State Fire Marshal-approved "Safe and Sane" fireworks. But fireworks purchased there must not be transported, used or possessed outside of the cities in which they were purchased, Cal Fire officials said in a statement this week.

All fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Riverside County because they cause serious injuries and very often start fires, Cal Fire officials said.

"Any person or persons that cause a wildland fire by using illegal fireworks will be held responsible for all fire suppression costs," Cal Fire officials said. "These costs can run into the millions of dollars."

The Riverside County Sheriff's Department, Cal Fire-Riverside County law enforcement officers, and Riverside County Code Enforcement intend to aggressively enforce Riverside County Ordinance 858, as well as other laws pertaining to the sale, transport, manufacturing storage and use of illegal fireworks, Cal Fire officials said.

Anyone caught with illegal fireworks will be subject to fines, citation, or arrest, all illegal fireworks will be confiscated, according to Cal Fire.

"In recent weeks, firefighters have already responded to vegetation fires caused by fireworks," Riverside County Fire Chief John R. Hawkins said in the statement.

"Fortunately, these fires were small in nature but had the potential of becoming quite large," Hawkins said. "There are several July 4th holiday celebrations and fireworks shows throughout the County. For your safety and enjoyment, please leave the fireworks to the professionals."

A printable pdf list of Cal Fire-approved public fireworks shows for the 2011 July 4th holiday weekend is attached to this report.

For more information, visit www.rvcfire.org.