California officials warn of wildfire risk, tougher fireworks enforcement before July 4
California fire officials warned Thursday that illegal fireworks will bring increased enforcement, fines of up to $10,000 and possible jail time this Fourth of July as wildfire danger remains high across the capital region and the state.
“We need Californians to know what is legal, what is not, where fireworks are allowed and permitted in local communities, and most importantly, the risks that they carry,” said State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant, who said fireworks sparked more than a dozen wildfires in Cal Fire’s state responsibility area this year alone
Berlant joined representatives from Cal Fire, Sacramento-area fire departments, law enforcement and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office at Shriners Children’s Northern California to urge residents to leave fireworks displays to professionals, use only state-approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks where they are legal and report illegal fireworks.
State-approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks carry the State Fire Marshal’s seal and may be sold and used only between June 28 and July 4 in communities where they are permitted. Sales begin Sunday in Sacramento County and the cities of Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, West Sacramento and Woodland. Lightning fireworks remains prohibited in unincorporated Placer and Yolo counties, throughout El Dorado County and in the city of Davis, among other jurisdictions.
Berlant highlighted wildfires as one of the risks associated with celebrating irresponsibly.
“Alone in our jurisdiction, we’ve already responded to over a dozen wildfires sparked by fireworks,” he said. “That is over a dozen preventable fires that put communities, people, and first responders at risk.”
In 2025, fireworks caused 747 fires across California, burning nearly 600 acres, causing nearly $16 million in damage and contributing to the deaths of eight civilians, said Berlant, whose agency is formally known as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
“This number really represents more than just a statistic,” he said. “It represents people, families, neighborhoods, and emergency responders all impacted by these preventable incidents.”
Amy Nygren, fire marshal for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, said the region experiences an increase in fireworks-related emergency calls, injuries, and incidents every year around the Fourth of July.
“These devices can cause devastating burns, property damage, wildland fires, and even loss of life when used or disposed of improperly,” she said.
Berlant said preventing illegal fireworks from being brought into the state and local communities is a year-round effort involving state arson and bomb investigators who collaborate with local and federal agencies to intercept shipments along trafficking routes and prosecute violators.
During the pandemic, authorities began seeing an increase in the use of illegal fireworks across the state, Berlant said. Since then, fire departments and law enforcement agencies in Sacramento have become more aggressive in enforcing illegal fireworks laws.
In 2025, the Sacramento City Council passed an ordinance increasing fines for illegal fireworks and assessing fines per firework instead of per incident. Under the new ordinance, a first violation carries a fine of $1,000 per firework, a second violation carries a fine of $2,500 per firework, and every additional violation within a year of the first results in a $5,000 fine per firework. Any fireworks used near schools, parks or on the American River Parkway carry a $10,000 fine.
In March, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted a similar ordinance, charging violators per firework instead of per incident.
The penalties “can be issued to the property owners or the responsible parties when the violations are observed at a location,” Waris Gildersleeve, a supervising fire prevention officer with the Sacramento Fire Department, said. “Even when you have the ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks under the city code, these fireworks are not allowed after 10 p.m.”
“My hope is that people, one, let’s support TNT and ‘Safe and Sane,’ because we’re supporting nonprofits, but two, let’s go leave it to the professionals,” said Lisa Kaplan, a Sacramento City Council member who represents North Natomas and drafted the city’s ordinance.
In the past five years, nearly 2 million pounds of illegal fireworks have been confiscated in California, Berlant said.
“Fireworks are coming in through criminal operations, very complex, very sophisticated operations, and so working to try to find those and get those off the streets before they even are sold has been part of our mission.”
Other speakers encouraged the public to report illegal fireworks to authorities.
“If you see illegal fireworks being sold or used, we ask that you help us out by recording it,” said Gildersleeve.
Residents can report illegal fireworks by downloading the Sacramento Fire Department app and selecting the fireworks reporting feature or by calling 916-808-3473.
“The Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and this task force will strictly adhere to the aggressive disposition and sentencing guidelines for anyone found to be in possession of, or using, illegal fireworks this Fourth of July,” said Supervising Deputy District Attorney Catherine Martin.
“Serious violators found to be in possession of illegal fireworks will be offered the opportunity to plead guilty or no contest for a consequence of five to ten days in jail and one year of informal probation,” Martin continued.
The penalties may be increased if violators have a prior criminal history and apply to both adults and juveniles.
If children are endangered by illegal fireworks, violators may also be required to serve a minimum of 30 days in county jail.
To stay safe while using fireworks, authorities offered several safety tips.
Fireworks users should keep a charged hose and a water bucket nearby and dispose of used fireworks by soaking them overnight in a noncombustible container filled with water and placing them away from “homes, fences, and other combustible materials,” Nygren said.
She also reminded residents not to light fireworks under trees, bushes, canopies, covered patios or balconies; near dry grass, vegetation or other combustible materials; and to maintain a safe distance from homes, spectators, vehicles and other structures.
Finally, she warned listeners to never relight dead or malfunctioning fireworks.
Kathleen Romanowski, a burn surgeon at Shriners hospital, offered additional tips for families with children, including never allowing children to light or be near legal or illegal fireworks, never allowing children to handle sparklers, always having adults dispose of fireworks in water, keeping fire extinguishers nearby and educating children about the dangers of fireworks.
“Additionally, flammable liquids should be kept far away from designated fireworks areas, and you should never wear loose clothing while working with fireworks. It is important for all adults to remember that children are always at risk around residential fireworks, even if they are not the ones handling them,” Romanowski said.
Despite warning residents of the potential dangers, speakers said they hope families will celebrate safely.
“Everyone here wants our community to continue to enjoy this great American holiday, while keeping everyone safe from injuries and other fire dangers,” Martin said.
