Fireworks go on sale in the Sacramento area – and across the state – at noon June 28 at more than 3,300 licensed booths, according to the Office of the State Fire Marshal.
However, some communities, such as Granite Bay and Davis, ban the use of fireworks.
On Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger urged Californians not to set off fireworks, even legal ones, because of the severity of wildfires.
Some Sacramento residents have already made up their minds. They will either continue with their fireworks plans – or pass this year.
DeAun Tollesson of Curtis Park, the mother of two teens, is saying "no" to buying fireworks. "I was going to buy, but was commenting to my husband how ludicrous that seems with all the fires going on around the area."
But the party will go on at Jim Guida's house in the Pocket neighborhood.
Guida has hosted an annual Fourth of July party for 10 years.
"Yes, we will continue with our party – and the fireworks," Guida says. "We always follow the guidelines of being 'safe and sane.' We just spend way too much money, but we invite others to bring their fireworks."
Guida says he sets off his fireworks near the swimming pool. A garden hose is always at the ready.
Because of folks like Guida, The Bee still conducted its annual fireworks testing – under the supervision of Sacramento firefighters.
Our team of 11 testers rated 10 models sold by TNT and Phantom Fireworks. They are rated according to visual "Oooh" factor and sonic "Boom" factor.
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Our panel of fireworks critics included: John Blomster, Rita Blomster, JoJo Clark, Anna Evans, Ed Fletcher, Leigh Grogan, Gina Kim, Edward Ortiz, Pablo Ortiz, Michelle Palomares, Lauren Richardson and, of course, our expert dog Beija Flor.
Many thanks to the firefighters of Sacramento Fire Station No. 2 for allowing us to test the fireworks at their home base. Special props to firefighter Scott Singleton, who lit the fuses and doused the flames at the end.
