CA Fire Crews Brace For Wildfires From Fireworks As Heat Wave Drags On

CALIFORNIA — California fire crews are ready to respond to wildfires as temperatures soar and dry weather reigns in the Golden State, coinciding with the added threat of fireworks leading into Independence Day.

Though California experienced the rare phenomenon of no major wildfires the weekend before the Fourth of July as of Sunday afternoon, the threat is far from over.

Even without larger wildfires to contend with, crews deployed Sunday to tackle smaller blazes, including the Chantry Fire in the Angeles National Forest and the Gann Fire in Calaveras County. The latter burned 90 acres and was 20 percent contained as of 8 p.m. Sunday.

Over the last decade, fireworks have been directly responsible for more than 20,000 acres burned across California and nearly $60 million in property damage. More than $25 million of that price tag happened last year.

"Fourth of July is always known for a large number of the public being outside, and obviously using fireworks, which are inherently a little more dangerous when it comes to starting fires," said Capt. Robert Foxworthy, a public information officer with Cal Fire. "This week looks like it's going to be probably the hottest and driest that the state has seen so far this year."

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The historic winter moisture that helped alleviate drought conditions also gave life to a variety of fuels that are now drying out and primed to catch fire.

"Obviously, with the large amount of rain that we received, most folks are pretty aware — and can see when they're out — that we have a considerable amount of new growth this year," Foxworthy said. "Tall grass, lots of vegetation in those lighter, flashier fuels that actually catch fire easier and can spread incredibly quickly."

That reality is why Cal Fire officials hope residents will heed their warnings about fireworks this year, both by following the law and exercising extreme caution even in areas where some "safe and sane" devices remain legal.

Several types of fireworks are illegal statewide, including skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, and other devices that explode or go airborne. Violations can lead to hefty fines in the tens of thousands or even jail time. Many cities and jurisdictions across California go further with their local laws, outright banning all fireworks, including those labeled "safe and sane."

While it's important to follow the law, officials stress that even using fireworks where they are permitted can be risky.

"You can still start a fire with safe and sane fireworks," Foxworthy said. "There is still a chance, especially when it's warm and dry and there's dry vegetation around, to start a fire with those legal fireworks."

With some July 4 celebrations already underway, Cal Fire shared a few common sense reminders to reduce the chance of fires and personal injury:

• Never use illegal fireworks.
• Make sure the firework has the State Fire Marshal "Safe and Sane" seal on it.
• Make sure the "Safe and Sane" firework is purchased from a licensed fireworks booth.
• Never allow young children to use or handle fireworks.
• Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
• Never hold a lit firework in your hands.
• Never light fireworks indoors.
• Only use them away from people, houses, and flammable materials.
• Never point or throw fireworks at another person or animal.
• Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
• Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for an extended time before discarding.
• Keep a bucket of water nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don't go off or in case of
fire.

When fires inevitably do ignite this summer, Cal Fire has a few more tools at its disposal this year, including a bigger fleet of Firehawk helicopters, additional monitoring cameras, and an expanded partnership with the state Office of Emergency Services "FIRIS" program, which provides real-time updates, imaging and modeling from the air to help fire crews on the ground.

But the number one benefit right now — and beyond, if people continue to exercise caution and keep fires to a minimum — is the availability of the state's firefighting force.

"What gets those fires put out is still those boots on the ground, firefighters squirting water, digging handlines, and things like that," Foxworthy said. "This year, a thing that's a little bit different than years in the past is we have no large fires burning throughout the state. All of our Cal Fire stations are fully staffed and have all the equipment sitting in those stations and ready to respond to new incidents."

>> Readers can learn more about fireworks laws and fire safety on Cal Fire's website.