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Nearly
31,000 pounds of dangerous and illegal fireworks have been confiscated
through weeks of interdiction operations conducted by a multi-agency task
force led by San Bernardino County Fire Department’s Fire Investigations
Unit. County Fire Investigators issued 121 citations totaling $151,250 in
fines for possession of illegal fireworks.
“San Bernardino County has a
zero-tolerance policy for bringing any and all illegal fireworks into our
communities. Anyone attempting to smuggle these dangerous explosives into
the county will face a minimum $1,250 fine and a misdemeanor or felony
charge with the possibility of arrest,” Fire Marshal Mike Horton said.
With
San Bernardino County facing a dangerous wildland fire season, the San
Bernardino County Fire Department (SBCoFD) has increased its vigilance in
enforcing state and county firework laws to protect public health and
safety.
The multi-agency task force includes representatives from San Bernardino
County Fire’s Office of the Fire Marshal, Chino Hills Fire Department, Loma
Linda Fire Department, and Rancho Cucamonga Fire Department. Investigators
also teamed up with San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Arson/Bomb Squad to
utilize K9s trained to sniff out explosives. Once seized, the illegal
fireworks are picked up by the State Fire Marshal’s office and are safely
destroyed.
Fire officials will continue to issue citations for the illegal use,
possession, or storage of fireworks. Property owners may be cited if they
allow fireworks to be possessed, stored, or used on their property. All
fireworks that explode, shoot into the air or move along the ground are
termed dangerous and are illegal anywhere in California. “Safe and Sane”
fireworks bare the State Fire Marshal seal on the packaging and are only
allowed in the following cities: Adelanto, Barstow, Chino, Colton, and
Rialto, as well as specific locations in Fontana, Grand Terrace, and San
Bernardino.
Please call the
fire department in these cities for more information. All fireworks are
illegal elsewhere in the county.
Residents can
report illegal fireworks to local authorities or to WeTip at 1-800-47-ARSON
or WeTip.com
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