California fire officials caution the public against selling, transporting or using fireworks that do not carry the State Fire Marshal\u2019s seal. On Thursday, authorities reiterated ramped-up enforcement efforts this Fourth of July<\/a>. Under new Sacramento city and county ordinances, violations can carry fines of up to $10,000, depending on where the illegal fireworks are set off and whether the violator has previous offenses.<\/p>\n Fireworks vendors will also provide safety information<\/a> with every purchase. To minimize risk, they advise only adults to light fireworks on hard, flat, level surfaces, away from dry grass and vegetation, with 25 to 40 feet of clearance. Fire officials have also emphasized the importance of having hoses on hand, and dousing fireworks in a bucket of water<\/a> after they\u2019ve been used, even overnight, to prevent accidental reignition.<\/p>\n Where can I buy ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks?<\/p>\n Rules for when you can buy and discharge fireworks vary based on jurisdiction.<\/p>\n \u201cSafe and Sane\u201d fireworks go on sale at noon Sunday from the three licensed national vendors at stands operated by community and nonprofit groups across Sacramento County and the cities of Roseville, Rocklin, Lincoln, West Sacramento and Woodland. Sales continue through July 4.<\/p>\n In the city of Sacramento, the pyrotechnics can only be discharged between noon Sunday and midnight July 4. Roseville<\/a>, Rocklin<\/a>, and Lincoln all have the same schedule.<\/p>\n In Sacramento County, the window is slightly shorter, with fireworks permitted from noon Sunday until 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July, according to the county\u2019s website.<\/a><\/p>\n Fireworks can only be set off from July 4 through July 6 in West Sacramento, the city said on social media<\/a>.<\/p>\n It is strictly prohibited to light fireworks in El Dorado County, the city of Davis, and the unincorporated areas of Placer and Yolo counties.<\/p>\n Across California, only licensed booths can sell \u201cSafe and Sane\u201d fireworks. There are nearly 100 TNT Fireworks<\/a> and more than 80 Phantom Fireworks<\/a> stands in the greater Sacramento area, with some in nearby cities like Dixon, Woodland and Fairfield as well.<\/p>\n Discount Fireworks Superstore<\/a> no longer has a Sacramento-based warehouse, but it operates multiple locations in Northern California, including Fresno.<\/p>\n Sacramento County officials encourage the public to report illegal fireworks<\/a> at 916 874-5115 or fireworks@sacsheriff.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Now that you know how to celebrate safely \u2014 and where and when \u201cSafe and Sane\u201d fireworks are legal to buy and use \u2014 it\u2019s time for the fun part. Here are our interns\u2019 top fireworks picks for the 2026 season.<\/p>\n Retailer: Discount Fireworks Superstore<\/p>\n Total score: 3.80<\/p>\n \u201cOooh\u201d rating: 3.73<\/p>\n \u201cBoom\u201d rating: 3.86<\/p>\n Duration: 1 minute, 14 seconds<\/p>\n Price: $17.32<\/p>\n What we loved: \u201cJumpin\u2019 Jackalope,\u201d a new item this year, lived up to its name, with bursts of fireworks that felt like, well, jumps.<\/p>\n \u201cGOOD NAME,\u201d one reviewer wrote.<\/p>\n Its \u201coooh\u201d and \u201cboom\u201d scores were among the most consistent of any firework, as interns praised its distinct theme, runtime and cohesive performance. The ground-based fountain sent up green, red and orange sparks in jumping bursts before they fanned into the air like a starry flurry.<\/p>\n Of the six fireworks priced below $20 \u2014 not counting \u201cSpirit in the Night,\u201d which is $29.99 but comes with a buy-one-get-one-free deal \u2014 \u201cJumpin\u2019 Jackalope\u201d held a strong lead as our favorite budget option.<\/p>\n Fifth place: Radioactive Spark<\/p>\n Retailer: Phantom Fireworks<\/p>\n Total score: 4.12<\/p>\n \u201cOooh\u201d rating: 4.68<\/p>\n \u201cBoom\u201d rating: 3.55<\/p>\n Show duration: 1:14<\/p>\n Price: $99.99 with a buy-one-get-one-free deal<\/p>\n What we loved: A returning favorite is back! After placing first in last year\u2019s intern rankings<\/a> and tying for second the year before<\/a>, it\u2019s no surprise that Phantom\u2019s \u201cRadioactive Spark\u201d made the top five yet again.<\/p>\n The firework had the second-highest \u201coooh\u201d score, trailing only overall winner \u201cDragon Dreamscape,\u201d though its \u201cboom\u201d score was closer to the middle of the pack.<\/p>\n \u201cRadioactive Spark\u201d is most notable for its spin. After a classic display of gold, red and orange flashes shooting upwards in bright flurries, the firework began spinning rapidly, spraying warm-toned sparks horizontally in one of the night\u2019s most memorable moments.<\/p>\n \u201cVery radioactive!\u201d one intern wrote on their review sheet.<\/p>\n This firework was tied for the most expensive one we viewed, though the buy-one-get-one-free deal effectively brings the price to about $50 apiece.<\/p>\n Fourth place: Iron Eagle<\/p>\n Retailer: Phantom Fireworks<\/p>\n Total score: 4.15<\/p>\n \u201cOooh\u201d rating: 4.05<\/p>\n \u201cBoom\u201d rating: 4.25<\/p>\n Show duration: 0:56<\/p>\n Price: $69.99<\/p>\n What we loved: Should you choose to light Phantom\u2019s \u201cIron Eagle,\u201d everyone nearby will almost certainly know the theme. A massive eagle screech opens the show, leaving one of our interns on the ground in mock shock.<\/p>\n While the noise made \u201cIron Eagle\u201d one of the most divisive fireworks we rated, its electric finish and three simultaneous fountains helped it earn the third-highest \u201cboom\u201d score of the night.<\/p>\n \u201cThe eagle sound is impressive but annoying,\u201d one wrote on their review.<\/p>\n \u201cIron Eagle\u201d was tied for the most expensive single firework we viewed, along with TNT Fireworks\u2019 \u201cAmerican Pride,\u201d which was themed for the United States\u2019 250th.<\/p>\n Third place: Mad Dog XL<\/p>\n Retailer: TNT Fireworks<\/p>\n Total score: 4.45<\/p>\n \u201cOooh\u201d rating: 4.65<\/p>\n \u201cBoom\u201d rating: 4.25<\/p>\n Show duration: 1:08<\/p>\n Price: $39.99<\/p>\n What we loved: A new item for 2026, TNT Fireworks\u2019 \u201cMad Dog XL\u201d promises a truly maddening, explosive show.<\/p>\n Moments after ignition, the ground-based fountain launched orange, red and yellow showers of sparks before erupting into a flurry of bright white and green flashes that left our interns dazzled.<\/p>\n After settling back a shoot of sunset-toned sparks, our interns watched as the \u201cMad Dog XL\u201d had a second burst of popping and crackling green that climbed higher than the fire station\u2019s roof.<\/p>\n \u201cSparks fly to start. Crazy effect,\u201d one intern wrote down.<\/p>\n Another summarized their thoughts more briefly as \u201cAWESOME!!!\u201d<\/p>\n At $39.99, the \u201cMad Dog XL\u201d is a standout mid-priced option.<\/p>\n Second place: Storm Runner<\/p>\n Retailer: Phantom Fireworks<\/p>\n Total score: 4.57<\/p>\n \u201cOooh\u201d rating: 4.50<\/p>\n \u201cBoom\u201d rating: 4.64<\/p>\n Show duration: 1:17<\/p>\n Price: $49.99 (Buy one, get one free)<\/p>\n What we loved: At $25 a pop if you think about it, it\u2019s tough to get better than this.<\/p>\n \u201cStorm Runner\u201d kicked off as soon as it was lit, shooting orange, green and red sparks onto the ground and into the air, crackling and popping to the delight of our interns.<\/p>\n The opening sequence lasted 25 seconds, and after a quieter spell with a single stream of flashing sparks, \u201cStorm Runner\u201d returned with a booming, fiery gold shower that we couldn\u2019t take our eyes off. As the firework began to wane after well over a minute, zigzagging streaks of light spread into a canopy of twinkling flashes that resembled stars.<\/p>\n Our interns, stunned nearly speechless, could only muster the following: \u201cPhenomenal\u201d and \u201cAmazing.\u201d<\/p>\n First place: Dragon Dreamscape<\/p>\n Retailer: Discount Fireworks Superstore<\/p>\n Total score: 4.80<\/p>\n \u201cOooh\u201d rating: 5.00<\/p>\n \u201cBoom\u201d rating: 4.59<\/p>\n Show duration: 1:06<\/p>\n Price: $38.60<\/p>\n What we loved: With a perfect \u201coooh\u201d score from all 11 of The Bee\u2019s summer interns, Discount Fireworks Superstore\u2019s \u201cDragon Dreamscape\u201d left little to criticize.<\/p>\n Once lit, the ground-based fountain began with fluffy-looking sparkles in blue, red, pink, yellow and green. They danced in waves before the firework erupted into a shower of orange-gold flecks and red and green flashes that crackled as they struck the ground.<\/p>\n Our interns audibly oohed and aahed as the show began, helping explain the perfect rating.<\/p>\n As they filled out their review sheets, our interns expressed similar praise for the show\u2019s vibrancy.<\/p>\n \u201cRainbow start. Wow,\u201d one wrote.<\/p>\n \u201cColorful and good length,\u201d scribbled another.<\/p>\n Some even resorted to language our editors won\u2019t let us print to express their awe. Safe to say, the mid-priced \u201cDragon Dreamscape\u201d was crowd favorite.<\/p>\n Special thanks to Metro Fire and the crew of Station 50, as well as the teams from Phantom Fireworks and TNT Fireworks.<\/p>\n The Bee\u2019s Velvet Wu, HG Biggs, Ruyuan Li, Libby Simpson, Haley Parsley, Evelyn Ronan, Naomi Taxay, Alula Alderson and Sofia Williams contributed to this story.<\/p>\n Related Stories from Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n Reeti Malhotra<\/a><\/p>\n The Sacramento Bee<\/p>\n Reeti Malhotra is a 2026 summer reporting intern for The Sacramento Bee covering breaking news. She is a junior at Yale University, where she works as a city beat reporter and personal essay staff writer for the Yale Daily News.\n <\/p>\n![\"TNT](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SAC_5306_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\" "\\"SAC_5306_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\\"")
TNT Fireworks\u2019 Bald and Beautiful firework sparkles in front of Sacramento Metro Fire Station 50 during the Sacramento Bee 2026 summer intern gathering to judge fireworks on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com Honorable mentionsBald and Beautiful, 4.08 rating, TNT Fireworks, $39.99. The new firework was the only one to earn an average rating above 4.0 and still miss our top five. Nice name, too.Freedom Star, 3.96 rating, Discount Fireworks Superstore, $37.12. Marketed as a family favorite by Discount Fireworks, the seventh-highest-rated firework is literally shaped like a star.Spirit in the Night, 3.48 rating, Phantom Fireworks, $29.99. Sold as a buy-one-get-one-free deal, this firework may be one of the most cost-effective options. While it wasn\u2019t known for its boom, it earned a 4.18 average \u201coooh\u201d rating, the fourth-highest visual score in our review.Viva el Futbol, 3.05 rating, TNT Fireworks, $12.99. With the World Cup underway, this budget-friendly firework is a fitting pick for futbol fans.Bang for your buck: Jumpin\u2019 Jackalope<\/p>\n![\"Discount](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SAC_7400_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\" "\\"SAC_7400_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\\"")
Discount Fireworks Superstore\u2019s Jumping Jackalope firework sparkles in front of Sacramento Metro Fire Station 50 during the Sacramento Bee 2026 summer intern gathering to judge fireworks on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com <\/p>\n![\"Phantom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SAC_5151_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\" "\\"SAC_5151_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\\"")
Phantom Fireworks\u2019 Radioactive Spark firework sparkles in front of Sacramento Metro Fire Station 50 during the Sacramento Bee 2026 summer intern gathering to judge fireworks on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com <\/p>\n![\"Phantom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SAC_5292_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\" "\\"SAC_5292_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\\"")
Phantom Fireworks\u2019 Iron Eagle FTN firework sparkles in front of Sacramento Metro Fire Station 50 during the Sacramento Bee 2026 summer intern gathering to judge fireworks on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com <\/p>\n![\"TNT](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SAC_7455_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\" "\\"SAC_7455_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\\"")
TNT Fireworks\u2019 Mad Dog XL firework sparkles in front of Sacramento Metro Fire Station 50 during the Sacramento Bee 2026 summer intern gathering to judge fireworks on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com <\/p>\n![\"Phantom](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SAC_5173_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\" "\\"SAC_5173_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\\"")
Phantom Fireworks\u2019 Storm Runner firework sparkles in front of Sacramento Metro Fire Station 50 during the Sacramento Bee 2026 summer intern gathering to judge fireworks on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com <\/p>\n![\"Discount](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/SAC_5129_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\" "\\"SAC_5129_HGB_20260624_InternFireworks.JPG\\"")
Discount Fireworks Superstore\u2019s Dragon Dreamscape firework sparkles in front of Sacramento Metro Fire Station 50 during the Sacramento Bee 2026 summer intern gathering to judge fireworks on Wednesday, June 24, 2026. HG BIGGS hg.biggs@sacbee.com <\/p>\n
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