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Ahead of the July 4 holiday, the annual campaign cracking down on illegal fireworks suppliers, distributors and buyers began in Riverside County.
An active pursuit for individuals who fire fireworks without permission will begin over the weekend of July 4 by the Law Enforcement Department, which has partnerships with law enforcement officers from the Riverside County Fire Department, the Sheriff’s Department, and multiple municipal agencies.
“You need your help to reveal the words that transporting and setting up illegal explosives is not only a serious cost for your pocket, but a serious risk to public safety,” Bill Weiser County said.
Approximately 400 citations have been issued by county agencies, and 10 have been arrested on misdemeanor allegations related to the transport of illegal fireworks in enforcement efforts last year. There were a total of 2,538 phone calls or complaints countywide regarding illegal fireworks. More than 400 pounds of fireworks products have been seized, Riverside officials said.
Riverside County residents witnessed the Howdan Fire, which was started by three boys who burned fireworks in a dry field near the intersection of Howdan Drive and Mary Street, spread over 600 acres, destroyed 700 homes and damaged six other homes in July 2024.
“Last summer, we saw first hand how fireworks can cause catastrophic property damage,” said Riverside Mayor Patricia Rock Dawson. The risks to your life and property are realistic, and the consequences of being caught are not worth it.”
The first conviction of illegally using fireworks is $1,500, according to the city’s website.
The Riverside County Board of Supervisors approved a $100,000 bilingual public awareness messaging campaign last month aimed at blocking the use of fireworks. This operation relies on modifiable electronic message signs, digital billboards and broadcast messages to spread the word to millions of residents and visitors about potential outcomes.
The city of Riverside has its own crackdown on illegal fireworks, and last week announced that police departments will document instances of illegal fireworks and deploy small unmanned aerial vehicles to identify the perpetrators.
“This is an easy choice, risking serious financial consequences from shooting down fireworks, or enjoying professional firework shows while relaxing with your neighbors,” Councillor Sean Mill said.
People can report illegal fireworks on the Sheriff’s Non-Emergency Enforcement Line, 1-800-950-2444, or on the web portal Riversidesheriff.org/555/fireworks.
In Riverside, reports on fireworks can be found at 951-826-5311 or https://crmweb.riversideca.gov.
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