The message is simple: leave the rockets red glare, the bombs bursting in air this year, to the pros.
With North State forests and grasslands seemingly as parched as the Mojave, traditional Independence Day revelry runs the risk of sparking devastating wildfires.
“Every year we have fires up and down the state of California started by fireworks, whether they be illegal fireworks or even the safe and sane product when not used correctly can start a fire,” says Tonya Hoover, the California state fire marshal.
Officials across the region are warning the public to use extreme caution and to know the rules.
Both can be challenging. Only certain classes of fireworks, those dubbed “safe and sane,” are considered legal for sale or use in California. These have an official seal. Sounds straightforward enough, except those legal fireworks aren’t legal everywhere.
In some counties, fireworks are banned entirely. Some cities and towns in those counties, however, allow them. Some counties meanwhile have no restrictions beyond what’s required by Sacramento. Some cities and towns in those counties disallow their possession or use.
State-approved fireworks may be used in Sutter, Yuba, Colusa, Glenn, Tehama Modoc and Siskiyou Counties, except on land administered by the forest service.
Meanwhile, fireworks are entirely prohibited in Placer, Plumas, Nevada, Butte Shasta and Trinity Counties.
Despite the countywide prohibitions, state-approved fireworks are permitted in Gridley and Oroville in Butte County, and Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln in Placer County.