All personal fireworks are against the law in the city of Santa Clarita and throughout the Santa Clarita Valley, city and county officials remind residents preparing to celebrate the Fourth of July after dark.

Instead, SCV residents are urged to enjoy the county-approved fireworks displays at Westfield Valencia Town Center Mall, Richard Rioux Park in Stevenson Ranch and Six Flags Magic Mountain.

The SCV Sheriff’s Station enforces a zero-tolerance policy and encourages residents to report illegal fireworks anonymously by calling 661-255-1121.

Residents may also report illegal fireworks to the sheriff deputy assigned to their zone. Information can be found online at scvsheriff.com/zone-leaders.

Violators could be fined from $500 to $50,000 and face misdemeanor prosecution.

Val Verde brush fire caused by illegal fireworks. | Photo: News Source LA

Under California Health and Safety Code Fireworks Penalties, Section 12700 states: “Any person who violates any provision of the State Fireworks laws or Regulations is guilty of a misdemeanor. A misdemeanor is punishable by a fine of not less than $500, but not to exceed $1,000 by imprisonment in the county jail for up to one year, or both.”

Under California Health and Safety Code Fireworks Penalties, Section 12700(B) states: “A person in possession of unaltered dangerous fireworks in violation of the State Fireworks Law is punishable as a misdemeanor or a public offense with fines ranging from $500 to more than $50,000, depending on the gross weight of unaltered dangerous fireworks in possession.”

Every Fourth of July, Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies and firefighters are forced to respond to fires unintentionally ignited by residents who set off illegal fireworks.

For people living in wildland areas and surrounding communities, brush fires are no small threat, especially this Fourth of July as a heat wave moves into Southern California.

Residents who don’t heed the warnings and break the law not only put themselves and family and friends at risk of unnecessary personal injury but also endanger firefighters and property, all of which costs taxpayers money that could be spent more wisely.

FUN FACTS

* Sparklers are very dangerous because they can burn 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit – nearly twice the temperature of red fire.

* Every Fourth of July, Americans ignite about 175 million pounds of fireworks, equivalent to about 100,000 lightning bolts.

* Blue fireworks are the most difficult fireworks color to make. No one has found the perfect chemistry to make a bright blue color.

* The earliest recorded use of fireworks dates back to 200 B.C. in China.