As the July 4 weekend approaches and we celebrate community traditions such as barbeques, parades and the beginning of summer, I would like to remind you that the use of fireworks is illegal. Fireworks can turn an outstanding celebration into a painful memory when children or adults are injured.
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.
As captain of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, 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.
The penalties for using illegal fireworks could include fines of:
– $2,500 for a first offense;
– $5,000 for a second offense;
– $10,000 for a third offense.
Section 9.60.030 SCMC states the following: “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.”
Los Angeles County Fire Code Section 3301.1.3 states that 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 $1,000, to confinement in a county jail for up to one year. As a reminder, many fireworks violations are classified as felonies.
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.
Each year in the Santa Clarita Valley, Los Angeles County firefighters respond to fires as a result of the use of illegal fireworks. Our community is one of the most beautiful places to live, but we live in what is called the “urban interface,” surrounded by brush-covered canyons and hillsides, which makes our neighborhoods vulnerable to the threat of fire. This year the terrain is especially dry due to drought conditions.
Please help us protect your family, home and neighborhood by participating in the public fireworks shows and reporting the use of private fireworks.
There are several fantastic 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. http://www.hometownstation.com
There will also be fireworks over Stevenson Ranch. Both events are spectacular and absolutely free. For details, visit www.stevensonranch91381.com.
From everyone at the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station, we wish you a safe and enjoyable Fourth of July.
Capt. Roosevelt Johnson is commander of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.
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41 Comments
And will people listen? Nope.
U can go back to texas :)
Yet, they sell them in grocery stores next to Santa Clarita.
LoL
This sucks
No sparklers
Who needs fireworks when you have lysergic acid diethylamide?
Target still had some for sale yesterday, but please don’t start any fires. We are having a horrible draught here. Happy 4th SCV!
My dog thanks you!!
Fireworks are what make the holiday great. If you respect them and use them smart. We don’t need more government permission to have fun. They are always trying to scare you.
Hopefully we can all respect one another and abide by this restriction…we are seriously in drought …if you love scv …respect the restriction…
yes.. we love SCV but 126 hwy the people sale fireworks like candys,, how to Resiste this.. lol
Land of the free…. oh wait
Good luck implementing rules. Everyone in this valley think they are immune to any laws because they aren’t ever enforced.
:-)
In other news, NO FUN ALLOWED
We buy them every year in Fillmore and set them off! It’s fun! Kids love it as long as u are responsible
This is offensive.
You can always go to Castaic lake to see the show. Oh wait, it’s been canceled…..
Considering we got our fire work fix from castaic lake and this year the budget is restricting that we have to depend on what? The mall?
Stevenson Ranch has a great show every year.
naaa Lancaster has a Rodeo,Bull rider & nice fireworks every year,, its nice for all familys and somefun,,.. Cowboy-Up..
Used to be a day when this was a free city and we could buy the safe and sane fireworks right here in town.
Maybe we can look forward to a day where we can celebrate our independence once again
Oh one other thing, need need to repeal this law:
Section 9.60.030 SCMC states the following: “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.”
I remember a day when you use to be able to have ur street closed down and everyone would go outside and fireworks were going off , and also there were no problems no fires , so whats the problem now why ban them we should stand together and get back our freedoms that we are suppost to have!
glad to see the fun is being taken away
So are we not gonna launch fireworks illegally like we do every year in the scv?
uh huh
Ur lame
Are the ones for sale at the Walmart in Santa Clarita illegal? Anyone know?
Unless you are a sheriff or fireman!!!! Your untouchable
This captn will not punish his own
That’s why I am moving out of Communist Commieforina and move to American Freedom Arizona. Anyone who does not allows the people to use fireworks is a communist. No offence Captain Johnson but you are a communist!
Not only is that not offensive, it’s also inaccurate. Congrats dude.
Go somewhere where it is legal if you have a problem with it. I’m more concerned with us not having a massive fire due to someone’s stupidity and ignorance. We will be observing the fireworks display safely at our park in Stevenson Ranch again this year.
Oh bummer wow I guess since it’s the law I have to follow this oh noo what ever am I going to do. As if, cops are too busy dealing with drunk idiots than to bust kids with fireworks
Ain’t stopping me, hell, I’ll pop off a few shots while I’m at it.
All of you are sitting here openly admitting you use illegal fireworks. You might as well sit back and wait for the sheriffs to arrive at your door
Ya like that’s gonna happen
LAME
Ya, Like that will happen! Just hope it doesn’t in my neighborhood… We’ve got enough idiots around already……