Yuba-Sutter Fourth of July plans upended by California fireworks explosion
>>> Update: Yuba-Sutter officials reschedule show to Saturday after finding new vendor <<<
Fireworks intended for shows in Marysville, Yuba City and Placerville for the Fourth of July holiday, among others in Northern California, were among the pyrotechnics that were incinerated in a blast Tuesday night at a fireworks storage facility in Esparto.
Officials in Yuba-Sutter are weighing how to proceed with their planned Fourth of July festivities as they reckon with the damage faced by the fireworks company they have partnered with for the annual event, a collaboration between the communities on both sides of the Feather River celebrating its seventh year.
Other California communities may face similar disruptions with little warning as authorities assess the fallout from the Esparto fireworks explosion ahead of Friday’s holiday celebrations.
“Devastating Pyrotechnics has been a trusted partner and a cherished part of our regional fireworks celebrations,” read the joint news release. “Their team brought not just fireworks, but joy, pride and tradition to our community on Independence Day.”
The explosions shook the Yolo County town of Esparto after a fireworks warehouse caught fire, and appeared to have started “numerous spot fires” nearby, Esparto Fire Protection District Chief Curtis Lawrence said.
Smoke and an acrid smell lingered through the night as firefighters worked to extinguish the blaze. Fire officials confirmed that multiple structures were damaged or destroyed, but as of Wednesday morning would not comment on possible fatalities or injuries. An arson and bomb unit from the Office of the State Fire Marshal was investigating, authorities said.
Having lost the fireworks intended for the Yuba-Sutter display in the warehouse fire, officials on both sides of the Feather River are exploring other ways to celebrate the Fourth of July.
“At this time, we cannot confirm whether the fireworks portion of the event will move forward, but we are working diligently on a Plan B that would still allow the community to come together in a safe and meaningful way,” the release said.
More information on the modified celebration is expected Thursday, according to the release.
Placerville among several cities affected
The Sacramento Bee spoke to representatives from a number of scheduled fireworks shows in the greater Sacramento area who confirmed that their shows were still expected to take place as planned.
But late Wednesday, officials in Placerville said the demonstration at the El Dorado County Fair & Event Center would be called off because its fireworks were also supplied by the San Francisco-based company.
“Our thoughts and prayers extend to Devastating Fireworks over this unimaginable loss of life and their business,” fair officials said, noting that races at Placerville Speedway would still take place Friday and Saturday.
In Sonoma County, officials in Cloverdale said the decades-old Chuck Sibert Pyro Spectacular was also canceled due to the warehouse explosion. The Cloverdale Lions Club announced that the explosion destroyed fireworks housed to supply small communities, including theirs, and “tragically claimed the lives of many local community members.”
Officials said Wednesday that there were seven people unaccounted for as authorities continue to assess the site of the explosion.
“As one small community to another,” the club wrote, “we can only imagine the impact this tragedy will have.”
This story was originally published July 2, 2025 at 11:30 AM.