Marin Officials Warn Of 4th Of July Fireworks Dangers

MARIN COUNTY, CA — It probably shouldn’t need to be said that amid historic drought conditions the use of fireworks poses an extreme fire risk, but the Marin County Fire Department is saying it anyway.

The agency has launched a campaign ahead of the 4th of July weekend to make sure residents and visitors alike aware that all fireworks are illegal in Marin County.

The restriction includes so-called “safe and sane” fireworks such as sparklers that are legal in some jurisdictions.

Although not as dangerous as aerial fireworks, sparklers and other fireworks that are legal in some areas do pose a fire risk, Marin Fire Battalion Chief Bret McTigue told Patch.

“They definitely can start a fire,” McTigue said, noting that every year “safe and sane” fireworks are involved in wildfires and cause injuries.

The Marin County Sheriff’s Office plans to have extra deputies on duty for enforcement over the holiday weekend and law enforcement officials throughout the county will be on high alert.

The use or possession of fireworks in Marin is classified as a misdemeanor offense, and offenders can expect to pay up to $410 in fines, officials said.

Last summer a pyrotechnic device used at a gender reveal party in Southern California sparked the El Dorado wildfire that torched more than 22,000 acres and forced over 20,000 people to evacuate.

“We realize people are excited to celebrate the holiday, but public safety has to come first,” Marin County Fire Chief Jason Weber said in a statement.

“The dry conditions are highly dangerous, and it won’t take much to trigger an historic-level disaster. Please be safe, not just on the Fourth of July but every day of the year. You can still have a good time without letting your guard down.”

According to the U.S. Drought Monitor’s most recent reporting, the vast majority of California was in an “extreme drought” Marin County along with much of the Bay Area is experiencing “exceptional drought” conditions.

As of June 22, 94.8 percent of California in a severe drought, 85.4 percent of the state is in an extreme drought and 33.2 percent of the state is experiencing "exceptional drought" conditions, the agency said.