July 4: Police Warn Against Use of All Fireworks, Including Sparklers

The sheriff's department is reminding all Riverside County residents that it's illegal to use any and all fireworks within county limits-- except for within a few cities that have laws allowing for certain types.

Even the use of sparklers is illegal, as they are classified as fireworks, officials say.

"...you may not sell, purchase, transport, store or use fireworks in the County of Riverside," Sheriff's Sergeant Lisa McConnell said.

A huge concern for sheriff's and fire officials is the sparking of wildfires from fireworks, because of dry vegetation.

What's more-- if someone is found to have started a wildfire through the use of fireworks, that person will be held responsible for all firefighting costs, which can be in the millions of dollars, according to McConnell.

"We urge you to leave the fireworks to the professionals," she said.

There are 5 cities within the county that allow for certain state-approved "safe and sane" fireworks.  Those cites are: 

• Blythe
• Coachella
• Cathedral City
• Desert Hot Springs
• Indio

"Fireworks purchased in these cities shall not be transported, used or possessed outside of the cities in which they were purchased," McConnell said.

Anyone caught with illegal fireworks may be fined, ticketed or even arrested, and those fireworks will be confiscated, according to McConnell.

From the sheriff's department:

If you would like to report the use or sales of illegal fireworks within the County of Riverside please call 1-800-950-2444. You may also report the use of illegal fireworks via the following web form: Sheriff's Fireworks Report Form. This form will be available Saturday, June 30, 2012, at 5:00PM until July 8, 2012.