illegal fireworks – ReportWire

Watch: Illegal fireworks light up night sky, spark fires across part of Northern California

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Each year on the Fourth of July, the sky across parts of Northern California lights up with illegal fireworks displays. The 2024 holiday was no exception, even as several communities stepped up fines and other crackdown efforts. Some fireworks were spotted by KCRA 3’s skycam before the sun fully set and they continued through the night. On the ground, it was easier to see the dangers illegal fireworks pose during a dry heat wave. KCRA 3 had several news crews and photographers throughout the region, who were able to see a large amount of illegal fireworks being set off.At one point, our photographer near Delta Shores in south Sacramento caught a fire at Levar Burton Park that appeared to be sparked in an area with multiple illegal fireworks being set off.The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and other departments across Northern California faced a busy night on the Fourth of July.”We had calls ranging from wildfires to our normal medical aids to structure fires and buildings burning. We had so many issues against us. We had the heat, we have the dry vegetation, and we’ve got people lighting off incendiary devices in their front porches,” said Parker Wilburn, a spokesperson for Sacramento Metro Fire.KCRA 3’s Lee Anne Denyer rode along with Sac Metro Fire as firefighters responded to calls, including garage fires on Ebonywood Court in Citrus Heights and Los Feliz Way in Carmichael. The fire in Citrus Heights caused significant damage to a home. A grass fire in Elverta was also confirmed to be set by illegal fireworks. Denyer said remnants of the fireworks were littered across the ground as a field burned nearby.In Rio Linda, a property manager grabbed a hose to help put out a vegetation fire that quickly spread to a fence and burned a vehicle on Delano Street. Fireworks were found in the bike path near the fire. Investigators determined fireworks had caused the fire. In the Antelope area, a large group of minors tossed fireworks and other incendiary weapons toward traffic, including a deputy, the sheriff’s office said.When deputies got to where the group was along Heartland Drive near Teotom Park, the sheriff’s office said most of the minors tried running away. Deputies detained several of them, one having a handgun, which led to their arrest.At some point during the interaction, one of the minors detonated a mortar under an unmarked sheriff’s vehicle, the sheriff’s office said. No deputies were harmed from that explosion.Overall, Sac Metro Fire said there were 2,500 calls to 911 and non-emergency lines. The 911 call count was 1,465, up 45% from last year. In the Natomas area of Sacramento, fireworks were blamed for causing a fire on the roof at Natomas Middle School. “I know we all love fireworks but illegal fireworks just set fire to a roof to a school in #Natomas. That is not ok,” Councilmember Lisa Kaplan wrote on X. –KCRA 3’s Jonathan Ayestas and Daniel Macht contributed to this story.

Each year on the Fourth of July, the sky across parts of Northern California lights up with illegal fireworks displays. The 2024 holiday was no exception, even as several communities stepped up fines and other crackdown efforts.

Some fireworks were spotted by KCRA 3’s skycam before the sun fully set and they continued through the night.

On the ground, it was easier to see the dangers illegal fireworks pose during a dry heat wave. KCRA 3 had several news crews and photographers throughout the region, who were able to see a large amount of illegal fireworks being set off.

At one point, our photographer near Delta Shores in south Sacramento caught a fire at Levar Burton Park that appeared to be sparked in an area with multiple illegal fireworks being set off.

The Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District and other departments across Northern California faced a busy night on the Fourth of July.

“We had calls ranging from wildfires to our normal medical aids to structure fires and buildings burning. We had so many issues against us. We had the heat, we have the dry vegetation, and we’ve got people lighting off incendiary devices in their front porches,” said Parker Wilburn, a spokesperson for Sacramento Metro Fire.

KCRA 3’s Lee Anne Denyer rode along with Sac Metro Fire as firefighters responded to calls, including garage fires on Ebonywood Court in Citrus Heights and Los Feliz Way in Carmichael. The fire in Citrus Heights caused significant damage to a home.

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A grass fire in Elverta was also confirmed to be set by illegal fireworks. Denyer said remnants of the fireworks were littered across the ground as a field burned nearby.

This content is imported from Twitter.
You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.

In Rio Linda, a property manager grabbed a hose to help put out a vegetation fire that quickly spread to a fence and burned a vehicle on Delano Street. Fireworks were found in the bike path near the fire. Investigators determined fireworks had caused the fire.

In the Antelope area, a large group of minors tossed fireworks and other incendiary weapons toward traffic, including a deputy, the sheriff’s office said.

When deputies got to where the group was along Heartland Drive near Teotom Park, the sheriff’s office said most of the minors tried running away. Deputies detained several of them, one having a handgun, which led to their arrest.

At some point during the interaction, one of the minors detonated a mortar under an unmarked sheriff’s vehicle, the sheriff’s office said. No deputies were harmed from that explosion.

Overall, Sac Metro Fire said there were 2,500 calls to 911 and non-emergency lines. The 911 call count was 1,465, up 45% from last year.

In the Natomas area of Sacramento, fireworks were blamed for causing a fire on the roof at Natomas Middle School.

“I know we all love fireworks but illegal fireworks just set fire to a roof to a school in #Natomas. That is not ok,” Councilmember Lisa Kaplan wrote on X.

–KCRA 3’s Jonathan Ayestas and Daniel Macht contributed to this story.

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July 6, 2024

Sacramento neighborhoods deal with used illegal fireworks trash after Fourth of July

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Illegal fireworks lit up Sacramento’s sky this Fourth of July, sparking fires in some areas and leaving others to deal with the trash. KCRA 3 drove around Sacramento for two hours and spotted several piles of used illegal fireworks dumped on the sides of the streets. In Sacramento, leaving used illegal fireworks trash on the street is considered illegal dumping. The city is calling on residents to report it. Jesa David with the city’s Recycling and Solid Waste Division said by reporting it, the city is made aware of where it is and can get it cleaned up. “We want to be sure to be extra careful to dispose of those properly,” said David. “They have a very high potential to start a fire.”David said whether they’re used or unused fireworks, they should be soaked in water for at least 15 minutes and wrapped in a plastic bag before putting them in the garbage container. People can call 311 or make a report online. If the report leads to someone being prosecuted, the person who made the report could get a reward. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.

SACRAMENTO, Calif. —

Illegal fireworks lit up Sacramento’s sky this Fourth of July, sparking fires in some areas and leaving others to deal with the trash.

KCRA 3 drove around Sacramento for two hours and spotted several piles of used illegal fireworks dumped on the sides of the streets.

In Sacramento, leaving used illegal fireworks trash on the street is considered illegal dumping.

The city is calling on residents to report it.

Jesa David with the city’s Recycling and Solid Waste Division said by reporting it, the city is made aware of where it is and can get it cleaned up.

“We want to be sure to be extra careful to dispose of those properly,” said David. “They have a very high potential to start a fire.”

David said whether they’re used or unused fireworks, they should be soaked in water for at least 15 minutes and wrapped in a plastic bag before putting them in the garbage container.

People can call 311 or make a report online.

If the report leads to someone being prosecuted, the person who made the report could get a reward.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.

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July 5, 2024

Investigators say discarded illegal fireworks likely caused two house fires in Montgomery Co. – WTOP News

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There were numerous fireworks-related incidents in Montgomery County, Maryland, during the Fourth of July holiday, including two house fires.

An Aspen Hill, Maryland, home sustained more than $500,000 in damage due to the fire and displaced the homeowner.
(Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue/Pete Piringer)

Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue/Pete Piringer

Aspen Hill house fire — The fire damaged the structure, a car, and the neighbor’s shed.
(Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue/Pete Piringer)

Montgomery County house fire — Another fire occurred about an hour later on Medway Street near Claridge Road and Glenmont Forest.
(Courtesy Montgomery County Fire and Rescue/Pete Piringer)

There were numerous fireworks-related incidents in Montgomery County, Maryland, during the Fourth of July holiday, including two house fires.

In the most serious case, an Aspen Hill home sustained more than $500,000 in damage and displaced the homeowner, according to Montgomery County Fire and Rescue spokesperson Pete Piringer. The fire happened around 11:30 p.m. on Thursday in the 14400 block of Brad Drive.

Piringer said that investigators believe aerial fireworks landed on the roof of the carport and flames spread to the attic. The fire damaged the structure, a car, and the neighbor’s shed.

“The homeowner was there sleeping. The smoke alarm activated for smoke in the house. About that time, a neighbor called saying the roof of the house was on fire,” Piringer said. “Fire investigators believe this was caused by some aerial fireworks that apparently landed around the house on the roof and burned on the roof.”

Another fire occurred about an hour later on Medway Street near Claridge Road and Glenmont Forest. Piringer said discarded fireworks were left against the side of a house.

“Some people had discharged some of these fireworks earlier in the day, discarded them, left them, and they smoldered and erupted into flames later,” he said.

The fire was only on the exterior of the house and no one was hurt.

Early Thursday morning, multiple packages of fireworks were seized after two vehicles crashed on Interstate 270 near Montrose Road in Rockville. One of those vehicles collided with a wall and burst into flames. Piringer said the other vehicle involved had a fairly large quantity of fireworks that were strewn across the road.

Fire investigators confiscated thousands of dollars worth of fireworks during Independence Day. They also responded to dumpster fires and brush fires. Piringer said people typically continue setting off fireworks after July 4 and urges you to turn any unused fireworks in to avoid fires.

“Fireworks are dangerous. They explode. They catch on fire,” he said. “Do what’s right, do not ignite. All fireworks are illegal, prohibited in Montgomery County for good reason.”

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July 5, 2024

Aurora Fire Rescue adds additional crews in case a brush fire sparks over Fourth of July weekend

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AURORA, Colo. — While we’re celebrating Independence Day, it’s far from a holiday for Aurora Fire Station 13.

“This is my 26th year working in the city, and we have some very busy evenings during this timeframe. And that’s why we’ve chosen to up-staff,” said City of Aurora Operations Commander Jon Hill.

Twelve additional fire personnel are on Aurora Fire Rescue’s roster through Sunday, with eight more on duty for medical calls.

“We’re going to be responding but we’re a limited resource,” said Hill.

Denver7 went behind the scenes with members of the wildland team to see how they train and prepare for a time when dry conditions and fireworks can mean a recipe for disaster.

Watch: Behind-the-scenes with Aurora Fire Department’s wildland team

While on patrol, the crew monitors temperature, relative humidity, wind direction and speed every hour.

“We’ll look for anybody that appears to be setting up personal fireworks displays, outside bonfires, or anything else that could cause us some sort of concern,” said Paramedic Lieutenant Erin Sherrill.

The crew takes every opportunity to train outside their brush truck, as well.

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Even with increased staff, Hill said his team will be stretched thin over the Fourth of July.

“And everyone goes, ‘You could reach to your neighboring district.’ Well, guess what? That neighboring district, they’re really busy, too,” said Hill.

That’s why Aurora Fire Rescue wants to drive home an important message.

“The actions you take could have very serious impact on everyone around you and your whole community,” said Hill.