Top Yolo County officials were aware of illegal fireworks operations at the site of the deadly 2025 Esparto explosions for at least three years but “no code enforcement occurred,” according to a civil grand jury report.The Yolo County Civil Grand Jury released the damning 32-page report, titled “Esparto Fireworks Explosion: Officials Knew, None Acted, ” on Thursday. (Previous coverage in the video above: Esparto fireworks explosions: State officials find ‘illegal activity,’ hand findings to Yolo DA.)“Inexplicably, no code enforcement occurred, even though all dangerous fireworks had been banned by ordinance throughout rural Yolo County since 2001,” the report said. “In the absence of official oversight and enforcement, unmitigated expansion of the fireworks businesses operating at the site in Esparto led directly to death and destruction from the Esparto Fireworks Explosion.”The report said the goal of the investigation was to understand the failure of the county’s code enforcement process. Read the full grand jury report here. Multiple fireworks blasts on July 1, 2025, obliterated a facility that was storing a massive cache of fireworks, killing seven people and leaving only debris behind.“The Board of Supervisors respectfully disagrees with the report’s suggestion that the County does not take code enforcement seriously,” Yolo County said in a statement about the grand jury’s finding. “While funding levels have varied historically, the Board has consistently supported and funded the County’s code enforcement program in recent (compared to previous) years and continues to recognize the essential role it plays in protecting community health and safety. Consistent with this commitment, the County has initiated internal reviews of its processes, including code enforcement procedures, and continues to work closely with local fire agencies and regional partners to strengthen coordination and communication.”The Civil Grand Jury is an independent body of citizen volunteers who are appointed to provide oversight of local government operations. Other investigations are underway by Cal Fire and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office.This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.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. —
Top Yolo County officials were aware of illegal fireworks operations at the site of the deadly 2025 Esparto explosions for at least three years but “no code enforcement occurred,” according to a civil grand jury report.
The Yolo County Civil Grand Jury released the damning 32-page report, titled “Esparto Fireworks Explosion: Officials Knew, None Acted, ” on Thursday.
(Previous coverage in the video above: Esparto fireworks explosions: State officials find ‘illegal activity,’ hand findings to Yolo DA.)
“Inexplicably, no code enforcement occurred, even though all dangerous fireworks had been banned by ordinance throughout rural Yolo County since 2001,” the report said. “In the absence of official oversight and enforcement, unmitigated expansion of the fireworks businesses operating at the site in Esparto led directly to death and destruction from the Esparto Fireworks Explosion.”
The report said the goal of the investigation was to understand the failure of the county’s code enforcement process.
Read the full grand jury report here.
Multiple fireworks blasts on July 1, 2025, obliterated a facility that was storing a massive cache of fireworks, killing seven people and leaving only debris behind.
“The Board of Supervisors respectfully disagrees with the report’s suggestion that the County does not take code enforcement seriously,” Yolo County said in a statement about the grand jury’s finding. “While funding levels have varied historically, the Board has consistently supported and funded the County’s code enforcement program in recent (compared to previous) years and continues to recognize the essential role it plays in protecting community health and safety. Consistent with this commitment, the County has initiated internal reviews of its processes, including code enforcement procedures, and continues to work closely with local fire agencies and regional partners to strengthen coordination and communication.”
The Civil Grand Jury is an independent body of citizen volunteers who are appointed to provide oversight of local government operations.
Other investigations are underway by Cal Fire and the Yolo County District Attorney’s Office.
This story is developing. Stay with KCRA 3 for updates.
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