Esparto explosion leads to proposed changes in California fireworks regulations

IN ESPARTO, DOZENS OF RECOMMENDATIONS HAVE BEEN SUBMITTED TO THE STATE FIREWORKS ADVISORY COMMITTEE. IT’S ALL PART OF AN EFFORT TO CLOSE GAPS IN REGULATIONS AND ENFORCEMENT OF FIREWORKS. KCRA THREE INVESTIGATES FIRST TOLD YOU ABOUT THE CREATION OF THIS TASK FORCE LATE LAST YEAR AFTER THE DEADLY EXPLOSION IN ESPARTO. GULSTAN DART IS HERE WITH THOSE RECOMMENDATIONS. HERE’S THE LATEST. THE FIRST DRAFT OF THAT REPORT WAS PRESENTED TODAY. MUCH OF IT LOOKS AT LOOPHOLES. OFFICIALS SAY THAT THE OWNERS OF THE COMPANIES IN ESPARTO TOOK ADVANTAGE OF IN ORDER TO OPERATE. NOW, AMONG THE RECOMMENDATIONS, THE TASK FORCE RECOMMENDED THAT THE REGULATIONS FOR PERMITS AND LICENSES IN THE STATE ALIGN WITH THOSE OF THE FEDERAL LICENSES, IN PARTICULAR, FELONY CONVICTIONS. IN CALIFORNIA, A FELON CAN STILL OBTAIN A FIREWORKS LICENSE UNLESS THEY’RE FELONIES RELATED TO ARSON OR EXPLOSIVES, AND THEY ALSO RECOMMEND REQUIRING LICENSE APPLICANTS TO GET AN ATF AND LOCAL AUTHORITY PERMIT BEFORE ISSUING A STATE LICENSE FOR FIREWORKS. LIST ALL FIREWORKS STORAGE LOCATIONS AND CONTACT INFORMATION IN THE LICENSE APPLICATION STAGE, AND THEY’RE AUTHORITY FOR THE STATE FIRE MARSHAL AT THE PORTS TO ALLOW MORE NOTIFICATION AND INSPECTION BEFORE THE FIREWORKS CAN EVEN GET OUT OF THE PORTS, AS WELL AS REQUIRING SITE PLANS FOR THE STORAGE OF FIREWORKS AND ALSO INCREASING PENALTIES FROM MISDEMEANORS TO FELONIES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS OR ANY ILLEGAL IMPORTS. NOW, ONE COMMITTEE MEMBER DID POINT OUT THAT THEY WANTED THE FIRE MARSHAL TO TAKE ON MORE AUTHORITY TO PREVENT ILLEGAL FIREWORKS FROM COMING INTO THE STATE IN THE FIRST PLACE. MANY OF THESE RECOMMENDATIONS STILL NEED THE LEGISLATURE TO MAKE REGULATORY CHANGES, BUT THE FIRE MARSHAL’S OFFICE SAYS IT IS WORKING RIGHT NOW TO TRY AND GET THOSE POSSIBLE CHANGES TO HAPPEN. THE REPORT, BY THE WAY, STILL NEEDS REVIEW AND ADDITIONAL COMMENTS, AND THAT PERIOD WILL RUN THROUGH APRIL. NOW, AS FOR THE EXPLOSION IN ESPARTO, THE FIRE MARSHAL SAYS THAT THE RESULTS OF THAT INVESTIGATION COULD COM

A task force has submitted dozens of recommendations to the State Fireworks Advisory Committee to address gaps in fireworks regulations and enforcement following the deadly Esparto explosions on July 1.The first draft of the report was presented on Tuesday, highlighting loopholes that officials say were exploited by company owners in Esparto before the tragedy that killed seven people at a fireworks warehouse. Among the recommendations, the task force suggested aligning state permit and license regulations with federal standards, particularly concerning felony convictions. In California, a felon can now still obtain a fireworks license unless their felony is related to arson or explosives.The task force also recommended requiring license applicants to obtain an ATF and local authority permit before a state license is issued for fireworks. Additionally, they proposed listing all fireworks storage locations and contact information during the license application stage, granting more authority to the state fire marshal at ports for better notification and inspection, requiring site plans for fireworks storage, and increasing penalties from misdemeanors to felonies for illegal fireworks or imports.One committee member pointed out the desire for the fire marshal to have more authority to prevent illegal fireworks from entering the state. While many of these recommendations require legislative action for regulatory changes, the fire marshal’s office is working to facilitate these potential changes.The report is still under review, with a comment period extending through April. Regarding the explosion in Esparto, the fire marshal said the investigation results are expected in the coming weeks.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel

ESPARTO, Calif. —

A task force has submitted dozens of recommendations to the State Fireworks Advisory Committee to address gaps in fireworks regulations and enforcement following the deadly Esparto explosions on July 1.

The first draft of the report was presented on Tuesday, highlighting loopholes that officials say were exploited by company owners in Esparto before the tragedy that killed seven people at a fireworks warehouse.

Among the recommendations, the task force suggested aligning state permit and license regulations with federal standards, particularly concerning felony convictions.

In California, a felon can now still obtain a fireworks license unless their felony is related to arson or explosives.

The task force also recommended requiring license applicants to obtain an ATF and local authority permit before a state license is issued for fireworks.

Additionally, they proposed listing all fireworks storage locations and contact information during the license application stage, granting more authority to the state fire marshal at ports for better notification and inspection, requiring site plans for fireworks storage, and increasing penalties from misdemeanors to felonies for illegal fireworks or imports.

One committee member pointed out the desire for the fire marshal to have more authority to prevent illegal fireworks from entering the state. While many of these recommendations require legislative action for regulatory changes, the fire marshal’s office is working to facilitate these potential changes.

The report is still under review, with a comment period extending through April. Regarding the explosion in Esparto, the fire marshal said the investigation results are expected in the coming weeks.

See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel