As the Fourth of July weekend approaches, and many people celebrate traditions such as barbecues, parades and the beginning of summer, Captain Roosevelt Johnson of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station would like to remind the community that the use of fireworks is illegal.

“Fireworks can turn a celebration into a painful memory when children or adults are injured,” said Johnson. “I would like to remind residents that all fireworks, including those fireworks classified as ‘safe’ and ‘sane,’ are illegal within the city of Santa Clarita and unincorporated communities.”

Although legal consumer fireworks can be purchased relatively close to the Santa Clarita Valley, all fireworks are hazardous and can cause injury and present a significant threat of fire danger, especially with California facing one of the most severe droughts on record, according to Johnson.

The penalties for using illegal fireworks include fines of:

* $2,500 for a first offense

* $5,000 for a second offense

* $10,000 for a third offense

Many fireworks violations are classified as felonies, according to sheriff officials.

Except as otherwise provided, it is unlawful for any person to handle, give away, sell, offer for sale, solicit the sale of, manufacture, possess, purchase, use, ignite, explode, fire, or otherwise discharge any fireworks within the city of Santa Clarita or to aid or abet any of the above with respect to fireworks as defined,” according to Section 9.60.030 SCMC.

They might be safe and sane, but they’re not legal in the Santa Clarita Valley.

It is illegal to store, manufacture, sell, use, or handle all forms of fireworks in any unincorporated area of Los Angeles County. The penalties for possession or use of fireworks can range from a fine up to $1000, to confinement in a county jail for up to one year according to Los Angeles County Fire Code Section 3301.1.3.

Please keep in mind this is an extremely busy holiday for the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station and Los Angeles County Fire Department. The Sheriff’s Department will have special teams deployed to combat the use of illegal fireworks.

Johnson asks the community to celebrate responsibly.

There are several opportunities to view fireworks in and around the Santa Clarita Valley.

The city of Santa Clarita’s Fourth of July Fireworks Show will begin at 9:15 p.m. at the Westfield Valencia Town Center.

Spectators can tune their radios to Santa Clarita’s Hometown Radio Station KHTS AM-1220 to enjoy a live broadcast of the show.

Six Flags Magic Mountain’s Fourth of July celebration will occur throughout the weekend along with a fireworks display each evening.

There will also be fireworks over Stevenson Ranch at 9 p.m. on July 4 at the Dr. Richard Roux Memorial Park, 26233 Faulkner Drive, Stevenson Ranch.

All events are spectacular and absolutely free.