THE COUNTY WIDE CRACKDOWN THAT’S EXPECTED. WE CAN TELL YOU THAT EVERY YEAR, ORANGEVILLE IS HIT HARD, VERY HARD BY ILLEGAL FIREWORKS. BUT THIS YEAR, OFFICIALS ARE HOPING TO MAKE CELEBRATIONS FOR THE 4TH OF JULY A LOT SAFER. THAT’S BECAUSE VIOLATORS COULD FACE FINES OF UP TO $1,000 PER ILLEGAL FIREWORK, AND THEY COULD GO UP EVEN MORE IF YOU LIGHT THEM UP IN CERTAIN SPOTS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY. TAKE A LOOK. LAST JULY, CROWDS GATHERED AT GREENBACK AND MAIN AVENUE IN ORANGEVILLE LIGHTING ILLEGAL FIREWORKS THAT SET TREES ON FIRE, HIT POWER POLES, BLOCKED ROADS AND EVEN TARGETED FIRST RESPONDERS. THIS MORNING, THE SACRAMENTO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS IS LOOKING TO RAISE PENALTIES FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND THE UNAUTHORIZED USE OF SAFE AND SANE FIREWORKS. THE PLAN IS FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO USE MORE DRONES AND TO BRING IN ADDITIONAL STAFFING TO RESPOND TO CALLS. FINES COULD REACH UP TO $10,000 PER FIREWORK IF THEY ARE LIT NEAR PARK SCHOOL OR THE AMERICAN RIVER PARKWAY. THAT SACRAMENTO COUNTY BOARD OF SUPERVISORS MEETING GETS UNDERWAY AT 930 THIS MORNING, AND IT IS EXPECTED T
Sacramento County leaders to vote on tougher illegal fireworks penalties
Updated: 8:39 AM PDT Apr 7, 2026
Sacramento County leaders are set to vote Tuesday morning on a proposed amendment aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks ahead of the busy summer season.The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will consider increasing fines in response to ongoing safety concerns around the Fourth of July.If approved, the updated ordinance would significantly raise penalties. Violators could face fines of up to $1,000 per illegal firework. Those penalties would climb even higher in sensitive areas, including parks, schools, and along the American River Parkway — where fines could reach as much as $10,000 per firework.County officials say the move comes after dangerous incidents last summer, including in Orangevale near Greenback Lane and Main Avenue, where crowds set off illegal fireworks that sparked fires in trees, hit power lines, blocked roadways and even targeted first responders.The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said the region has long dealt with a heavy presence of illegal fireworks leading up to the Fourth of July, often stretching law enforcement resources and increasing fire danger.To address those concerns, the county also plans to expand enforcement efforts. That includes deploying more drones and increasing staffing levels to respond more quickly to calls and identify violators.Supervisors are expected to vote on the amendment during Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m. If approved, the new rules would take effect one month later — just in time for peak fireworks season.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
Sacramento County leaders are set to vote Tuesday morning on a proposed amendment aimed at cracking down on illegal fireworks ahead of the busy summer season.
The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors will consider increasing fines in response to ongoing safety concerns around the Fourth of July.
If approved, the updated ordinance would significantly raise penalties. Violators could face fines of up to $1,000 per illegal firework. Those penalties would climb even higher in sensitive areas, including parks, schools, and along the American River Parkway — where fines could reach as much as $10,000 per firework.
County officials say the move comes after dangerous incidents last summer, including in Orangevale near Greenback Lane and Main Avenue, where crowds set off illegal fireworks that sparked fires in trees, hit power lines, blocked roadways and even targeted first responders.
The Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office said the region has long dealt with a heavy presence of illegal fireworks leading up to the Fourth of July, often stretching law enforcement resources and increasing fire danger.
To address those concerns, the county also plans to expand enforcement efforts. That includes deploying more drones and increasing staffing levels to respond more quickly to calls and identify violators.
Supervisors are expected to vote on the amendment during Tuesday’s meeting, which begins at 9:30 a.m. If approved, the new rules would take effect one month later — just in time for peak fireworks season.
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