12 Bay Area cities permit fireworks
With Fourth of July approaching, local officials are reminding residents there aren’t many local cities where you can legally set off fireworks.
Only a dozen cities in the greater Bay Area and Monterey and Santa Cruz counties permit “safe and sane” fireworks, ones approved by the state fire marshal that don’t leave the ground or explode.
At least one local city where they are banned will be using drones in an effort to crack down on illegal pyrotechnics, and health officials are warning that this time of year dozens of people are injured daily in fireworks-related accidents.
Revelers and amateur pyrotechnics must use fireworks in the same city they buy them. Cities that allow them within their limits include San Bruno, Pacifica, Union City, Newark, Dublin, Gilroy, Seaside, Watsonville, Petaluma, Sebastopol, Rohnert Park and Cloverdale.
At licensed fireworks vendors, sales begin in half of the cities Thursday. Firework sales in Rohnert Park start Saturday while Gilroy, Union City, Petaluma, Watsonville and Cloverdale start Sunday.
Sixteen community nonprofits sell fireworks in Gilroy, the only area in Santa Clara County where safe and sane ones are allowed. They ask for identification to confirm buyers live in the city and remind them the use of fireworks is prohibited near listed fire hazard areas.
“Even though safe and sane fireworks are legal to use within the specific provisions, it doesn’t mean that they’re harmless,” said Gilroy Police Department Administrative Sergeant Jason Smith. “Responsible adults should be present and monitor all firework displays and ensure the safety of all people who are present.”
Sparklers, which are
commonly given to children, burn at around 1,800 degrees — hot enough to melt glass according to Santa Clara County Fire Capt. Bill Murphy. Small burning metal particles create the sparks and can lead to serious burns, even though many people see them as relatively benign fireworks.
In the month around July 4, an average of 250 people go to the emergency room every day for fireworks-related injuries, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The acting nurse manager of the Santa Clara County Valley Medical Center Burn Unit, Lea Lyn Zaballero, said she has mostly seen fireworks injuries, such as wound blasts and burns, to the face, head or hands.
Zaballero added severe firework burns can lead to years of rehabilitation, physical and occupational therapy, disfigurement or loss of function of extremities.
During Fourth of July celebrations, high-risk behavior such as alcohol consumption can make fireworks even more dangerous.
“We want people to celebrate safely and have a good
time,” Murphy said. “Often times the things that people do during parties don’t always mix with things like fireworks”
Penalties for violations vary in different cities and unincorporated county areas. In San Jose, nonprofessionals without display permits using fireworks face $500 for a first violation. Within 18 months of a previous violation, the fines hike up to $700 for a second and $1,000 for a third.
To address illegal fireworks, some cities advertise nonemergency police department lines and online reporting forms. Not all resident reports provide enough information to be actionable, however. Last year, San Jose dropped the 45 citations it issued using the city website form and issued warning letters instead.
Patrol cars aren’t the only way Seaside firefighters and police officers will monitor dangerous activity either this Fourth of July. Teams of police and fire will fly drones throughout the day to look for public safety hazards related to illegal fireworks, according to Seaside Fire Chief Brian Dempsey.
Fires caused by fireworks
also pose environmental concerns endangering vegetation and animals. In May, witnesses said fireworks started a 71acre wildland fire in San Jose near the Los Lagos Golf Course.
Officials recommend going to permitted firework shows to avoid injuries, property damage and wildfires.
“The safest way to enjoy the Fourth of July is to go to one of the permitted shows where we’ve got professional pyrotechnicians and safety zones and fire department participation to make it safe,” San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow said. “Let somebody else set off the fireworks: the professionals.”
To find firework shows in the Bay Area, go to county or city fire department websites or see the Fourth of July events list at www. mercurynews.com.