Examples of illegal fireworks are displayed during a Cal Fire press conference about fireworks safety at Shriners Children\u2019s Northern California hospital in Sacramento on Thursday, June 25, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
Berlant highlighted wildfires as one of the risks associated with celebrating irresponsibly.<\/p>\n
\u201cAlone in our jurisdiction, we\u2019ve already responded to over a dozen wildfires sparked by fireworks,\u201d he said. \u201cThat is over a dozen preventable fires that put communities, people, and first responders at risk.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2025, fireworks caused 747 fires across California, burning nearly 600 acres, causing nearly $16 million in damage and contributing to the deaths of eight civilians, said Berlant, whose agency is formally known as the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis number really represents more than just a statistic,\u201d he said. \u201cIt represents people, families, neighborhoods, and emergency responders all impacted by these preventable incidents.\u201d<\/p>\n
Amy Nygren, fire marshal for the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District, said the region experiences an increase in fireworks-related emergency calls, injuries, and incidents every year around the Fourth of July.<\/p>\n
\u201cThese devices can cause devastating burns, property damage, wildland fires, and even loss of life when used or disposed of improperly,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
Examples of illegal fireworks are displayed during a Cal Fire press conference about fireworks safety at Shriners Children\u2019s Northern California hospital in Sacramento on Thursday, June 25, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
Berlant said preventing illegal fireworks from being brought into the state and local communities is a year-round effort involving state arson and bomb investigators who collaborate with local and federal agencies to intercept shipments along trafficking routes and prosecute violators.<\/p>\n
During the pandemic, authorities began seeing an increase in the use of illegal fireworks across the state, Berlant said. Since then, fire departments and law enforcement agencies in Sacramento have become more aggressive in enforcing illegal fireworks laws.<\/p>\n
In 2025, the Sacramento City Council passed an ordinance increasing fines for illegal fireworks and assessing fines per firework instead of per incident. Under the new ordinance, a first violation carries a fine of $1,000 per firework, a second violation carries a fine of $2,500 per firework, and every additional violation within a year of the first results in a $5,000 fine per firework. Any fireworks used near schools, parks or on the American River Parkway carry a $10,000 fine.<\/p>\n
In March, the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors adopted a similar ordinance, charging violators per firework instead of per incident.<\/p>\n
The penalties \u201ccan be issued to the property owners or the responsible parties when the violations are observed at a location,\u201d Waris Gildersleeve, a supervising fire prevention officer with the Sacramento Fire Department, said. \u201cEven when you have the \u2018Safe and Sane\u2019 fireworks under the city code, these fireworks are not allowed after 10 p.m.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cMy hope is that people, one, let\u2019s support TNT and \u2018Safe and Sane,\u2019 because we\u2019re supporting nonprofits, but two, let\u2019s go leave it to the professionals,\u201d said Lisa Kaplan, a Sacramento City Council member who represents North Natomas and drafted the city\u2019s ordinance.<\/p>\n
In the past five years, nearly 2 million pounds of illegal fireworks have been confiscated in California, Berlant said.<\/p>\n
State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant speaks during a Cal Fire press conference about fireworks safety at Shriners Children\u2019s Northern California hospital in Sacramento on Thursday, June 25, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
\u201cFireworks are coming in through criminal operations, very complex, very sophisticated operations, and so working to try to find those and get those off the streets before they even are sold has been part of our mission.\u201d<\/p>\n
Other speakers encouraged the public to report illegal fireworks to authorities.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf you see illegal fireworks being sold or used, we ask that you help us out by recording it,\u201d said Gildersleeve.<\/p>\n
Residents can report illegal fireworks by downloading the Sacramento Fire Department app and selecting the fireworks reporting feature or by calling 916-808-3473.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Sacramento County District Attorney\u2019s Office and this task force will strictly adhere to the aggressive disposition and sentencing guidelines for anyone found to be in possession of, or using, illegal fireworks this Fourth of July,\u201d said Supervising Deputy District Attorney Catherine Martin.<\/p>\n
\u201cSerious violators found to be in possession of illegal fireworks will be offered the opportunity to plead guilty or no contest for a consequence of five to ten days in jail and one year of informal probation,\u201d Martin continued.<\/p>\n
The penalties may be increased if violators have a prior criminal history and apply to both adults and juveniles.<\/p>\n
If children are endangered by illegal fireworks, violators may also be required to serve a minimum of 30 days in county jail.<\/p>\n
To stay safe while using fireworks, authorities offered several safety tips.<\/p>\n
Fireworks users should keep a charged hose and a water bucket nearby and dispose of used fireworks by soaking them overnight in a noncombustible container filled with water and placing them away from \u201chomes, fences, and other combustible materials,\u201d Nygren said.<\/p>\n
She also reminded residents not to light fireworks under trees, bushes, canopies, covered patios or balconies; near dry grass, vegetation or other combustible materials; and to maintain a safe distance from homes, spectators, vehicles and other structures.<\/p>\n
Finally, she warned listeners to never relight dead or malfunctioning fireworks.<\/p>\n
Dr. Kathleen Romanowski, a burn surgeon at Shriners Children\u2019s Hospital, speaks about the risks of fireworks on health during a Cal Fire press conference about fireworks safety at Shriners Children\u2019s Northern California hospital in Sacramento on Thursday, June 25, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
Kathleen Romanowski, a burn surgeon at Shriners hospital, offered additional tips for families with children, including never allowing children to light or be near legal or illegal fireworks, never allowing children to handle sparklers, always having adults dispose of fireworks in water, keeping fire extinguishers nearby and educating children about the dangers of fireworks.<\/p>\n
\u201cAdditionally, flammable liquids should be kept far away from designated fireworks areas, and you should never wear loose clothing while working with fireworks. It is important for all adults to remember that children are always at risk around residential fireworks, even if they are not the ones handling them,\u201d Romanowski said.<\/p>\n
Despite warning residents of the potential dangers, speakers said they hope families will celebrate safely.<\/p>\n
\u201cEveryone here wants our community to continue to enjoy this great American holiday, while keeping everyone safe from injuries and other fire dangers,\u201d Martin said.<\/p>\n
State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant, right, shows his phone to Amy Nygren, Sacramento Metro Fire\u2019s fire marshal, before a Cal Fire press conference about fireworks safety at Shriners Children\u2019s Northern California hospital in Sacramento on Thursday, June 25, 2026. HANNAH RUHOFF hruhoff@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
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