Fireworks Banned: Fire Protection District Say Enforcement Efforts Bolstered on 4th of July

With the 4th of July fast approaching, the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is encouraging residents to attend one of the spectacular public fireworks displays staged by professionals and remind residents that the individual possession or use of fireworks is illegal in Contra Costa County.

"The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that 89% of firework related injuries are a result of fireworks legally sold." said Fire Marshal, Christina Kiefer, "The national statistics for fires and injuries are discouraging and completely preventable.”

The NFPA also reports that 9,600 firework-related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms in 2011 and a quarter of the victims were children under 15 years of age.  Over half the injuries were burns and an estimated one third were injuries associated with sparklers, fountains and other novelties.

In addition to injuries, fires that start from fireworks are a significant threat to our community, especially this year with our current drought conditions. Residents need to be aware that fireworks can easily ignite vegetation and quickly start a structure on fire. Residents are reminded that a person, who starts a fire from fireworks, even if it is done accidentally, can be held criminally liable and financially responsible for the firefighting costs and damage to the property. 

Enforcement personnel will be patrolling and responding to calls for illegal use and possession of fireworks. All fireworks found will be confiscated and anyone in possession or engaged in the use of fireworks could be fined up to $1,000. Fire District personnel will accept illegal fireworks that are voluntarily turned over at fire station locations. To report the sale and use of illegal fireworks, contact the Fire District at (925) 838-6600.

Related article: Police Issue Reminder of Fireworks Ban in Danville

The Fourth of July is a wonderful American tradition and the San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District encourages residents to celebrate safely and let the pros put on the shows. 

There are several professional firework shows throughout the Bay Area; locally you can catch a spectacular areal display at the Alameda County Fair in Pleasanton. 

The San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District is an internationally-accredited special district that provides fire, rescue and emergency medical services to the communities of Alamo, Blackhawk, the Town of Danville, Diablo, the City of San Ramon, the southern area of Morgan Territory and the Tassajara Valley, in Northern California (Contra Costa County). The District’s service area encompasses approximately 155 square miles and serves a population of 170,000.

—Information submitted by San Ramon Valley Fire Protection District 

• Fireworks display at the Alameda County Fair: How to Watch Fourth of July Fireworks in Pleasanton
• How to Watch the Fourth of July Fireworks in Downtown Livermore
  
• Parade in Danville: Road Closures for Danville Fourth of July Parade
• Fourth of July: Green, Red, White and Blue Celebration at Memorial Park in Albany
• Let Freedom Ring Aboard the USS Hornet this Fourth of July
• City of El Cerrito, worldOne Hosting July 4th Festival
• Road Closures for Fremont's Fourth of July Parade
• Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Conducting Sobriety Checkpoint on Saturday
• Castro Valley CHP 'Taking Zero-Tolerance' Stance on DUI Drivers for Fourth of July Holiday Weekend