READER’S EDITORIAL: BURNED OVER ILLEGAL FIREWORKS 1.4K
Total Views: 52 By Linda K. Baker, El Cajon May 30, 2025 (El Cajon) — It burns my wits to read about suspending burn permits with July 4 right around the corner and knowing all the illegal fireworks that will yet again threaten my Lexington Gardens neighborhood with no police responses when it happens. View video. Want to see danger first hand? Bring your camera on July 4, 9 pm till midnight anywhere from Lexington to Washington to Jamacha to Dillman St. The fireworks debris will cover roofs, yards, cars, and observers. Street traffic is under threat because the fireworks are set off in the middle of the street that adds to the dangers and property damage unprotected. I have feared this neighborhood every year since 2019 on July 4th and refuse to leave my home to celebrate, believing it may not exist upon my return. The opinions in this editorial reflect the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of East County Magazine. To submit an editorial for consideration, contact editor@eastcountymagazine.org. Printer-friendly version
1.4K viewsCAL FIRE MAINTAINS ZERO TOLERANCE FOR ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AS FOURTH OF JULY APPROACHES 2.2K
Total Views: 44 Fireworks caused over $25 million in property loss last year, fine for illegal use is up to $50,000 June 28, 2023 (San Diego) – Beginning at noon tomorrow, June 28, “Safe and Sane” Fireworks will go on sale in many communities across California and in Mexico.But in San Diego County, all consumer fireworks are illegal to own or use, except those in licensed professional fireworks shows. That includes sparklers,firecrackers, poppers and all others. The Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is reminding everyone to do their part to have a safe holiday and help prevent fires and injuries caused by fireworks. As we gather to celebrate the Fourth of July, make sure your festivities are both enjoyable and safe. Since 2013, in the State of California, there have been over 20,000 acres burned with fireworks as the ignition source, causing $59.3 million in property loss, with $25.7 million of that total occurring in 2022 alone. “Our Arson and Bomb Investigators and Law Enforcement Officers have been busy assisting with numerous illegal fireworks enforcement operations, and members of the Arson and Bomb Unit have successfully seized over 245,000 pounds of illegal fireworks from all over California since July 2022,” said Acting State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant. “We have a zero tolerance toward the use, transportation, and possession of illegal fireworks. Even ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks are banned in many communities and bring large fines for their illegal use.” It is illegal to sell, transport, or use fireworks that do not carry the “Safe and Sane” seal, as well as possess or use fireworks in a community where they are not permitted including San Diego County. Over the past few months CAL FIRE-Office of the State Fire Marshal’s specialized Arson and Bomb Investigators have been providing intelligence and support to local and federal illegal fireworks enforcement efforts. If convicted, a violator could be fined up to $50,000, as well as be sent to jail for up to one year. Illegal fireworks statewide include: • Skyrockets • Bottle rockets • Roman candles • Aerial shells • Firecrackers • Other fireworks that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner. “The wet winter has been an anomaly, but any belief of a less intense fire year as a result of the precipitation is a mistake,” said Chief Joe Tyler, CAL FIRE Director and Fire Chief. “As the weather conditions continue to get warmer and drier, the vegetation – including grass, brush, and timber – will become more susceptible to burning. Make no mistake, fire conditions are elevated, as seen in the increase of wildland fires over the past few weeks, and the 4th of July, along with the use of fireworks, will contribute to the increased risk for wildfires.” To learn more about fireworks safety, visit fireworkssafetyca.org /. Printer-friendly version
2.2K viewsILLEGAL FIREWORKS SPARK FIRES AND A BARRAGE OF COMPLAINTS 2.7K
Total Views: 115 By Miriam Raftery Photo: Screenshot of KCAL video showing llegal fireworks across Los Angeles July 8, 2020 (San Diego’s East County) – With fireworks shows cancelled or not allowing on-site viewing due to COVID-19, use of illegal fireworks skyrocketed across southern California. This video by KCAL shows a panorama of illegal fireworks in Los Angeles, where an illegal fireworks display burned down eight apartments and injured five people, CBS reported. In a normal year, July 4th fireworks cause 19,000 fires nationwide. But this year, residents across San Diego County and elsewhere say the problem was far worse. San Miguel Fire Department, in response to an ECM records request, confirms their firefighters were dispatched to halt three fires caused by fireworks. One near Campo and Millar Ranch roads burned down 10 trees near a wildlife preserve and church. Another firecracker ignited a neighbor’s backyard on Redfield Street. A third was spotted in a Spring Valley canyon behind Barcelona Street. From this editor’s home, illegal fireworks resembling a professional show could be seen lighting up the night sky on the fourth July, with loud booms that at times sounded like cannon fire coming from Spring Valley/Casa de Oro areas. Illegal fireworks could also be heard across Spring Valley, La Mesa, El Cajon and San Diego. Eleanor Tamayo posted on Facebook that in her west La Mesa neighborhood, illegal fireworks were set off “at least three places on my street and some on the surrounding streets. Some are so close and loud that my windows shake.” She complained of “outrageously loud booms” adding, “All the neighborhood pups are going crazy.” Although neighbors called police over a 90-minute period, she stated, “not one LMPD car has been around.” Many other residents across East County also voiced complaints that calls to the Sheriff or local police departments were mostly ineffective; without an address or an officer witnessing the illegal display, catching violators can be challenging and the sheer volume of callls made it impossible to respond to them all. Yet some residents voiced approval of the illegal shows and complained about their neighbors objecting. “It’s just fireworks for one night out of the year…with everything going on can we at least enjoy a little bit of our normal???” one wrote on Next Door. Others noted that some illegally fireworks this year aimed to show support for Black Lives Matter by honoring victims of police violence. But dozens of others on the Next Door online discussion group, Facebook and other social media sites voiced fears over fireworks causing fires, amid high-fire-danger weather conditions per the National Weather Service. Some said that the loud bangs triggered post-traumatic stress syndrome in veterans, as well as refugees who have fled war-torn areas Others posted that they were unable to sleep with fireworks continuing past 1 a.m. Many residents said their dogs and cats were frightened by the illegal fireworks on multiple nights. One stated that she witnessed a dog that escaped in a panic and run in front of a car in Spring Valley; it was struck and killed. In Los Angeles, the fireworks also caused fine-particle pollution levels to skyrocket, prompting hazardous air ratings by the South Coast Air Quality Management District, the Los Angeles Times reported. Shooting off any fireworks is illegal in San Diego County, except for licensed professional shows, where precautions are taken to assure safety, such as providing ample space away from combustible materials, watering down surrounding areas, and having equipment and manpower to douse fires on hand. Do-it-yourself fireworks are also dangerous. Each year, 9,.000 people are treated in emergency rooms for injuries caused by fireworks, such as burns and loss of fingers, according to the National Fire Protection Association. Fortunately,Sharp Grossmont Hospital’s emergency room did not treat any patients with fireworks-related injuries, according to hospital spokesman Bruce Hartman. This 4th of July, some residents also complained of illegal gunfire fired off by some holiday celebrants, prompting some residents to take cover indoors. A Rancho San Diego Sheriff’s deputy recently confirmed to ECM’s editor that this has been an increasing problem across East County, albeit an illegal and potentially dangerous one for neighbors. The bullet shown at left was found on the driveway of a Mt. Helix home; it’s believed to have been fired by revelers during a prior holiday celebration and landed just a few feet from a homeowner’s front window. Miriam Raftery, editor and founder of East County Magazine, has over 35 years of journalism experience. She has won more than 350 journalism awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, San Diego Press Club, and the American Society of Journalists & Authors. Her honors include the Sol Price Award for responsible journalism and three James Julian awards for public interest reporting from SPJ’s San Diego chapter. She has received top honors for investigative journalism, multicultural reporting, coverage of immigrant and refugee issues, politics, breaking news and more. Thousands of her articles have appeared in national and regional publications. East County Magazine thanks the Facebook Journalism Project for support through its COVID-19 Local News Relief Fund Grant Program to help sustain reporting on impacts of the pandemic and issues affecting vulnerable local populations and rural communities. Learn more at #FacebookJournalismProject. You can donate to support our local journalism efforts during the pandemic at https://www.EastCountyMedia.org/donate. Printer-friendly version
2.7K viewsFROM THE FIRE CHIEF’S CORNER: STOP AND THINK! 2K
Total Views: 35 By Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna July 6, 2015 (San Diego’s East County) – Observing the calls being dispatched this weekend certainly proved a lack of common sense, civility and what a tender box we truly are in as fireworks and careless acts sparked additional wildfires, homes and even commercial business fires this Fourth of July weekend. Most from illegal fireworks. Stop and Think! Fires raged both locally and as far north as the state of Washington as thousands of acres continue to be destroyed and communities threatened. The worst part about this is we’ve only just begun reminds Fire Chief Sam DiGiovanna. We have already started a very long, hot and dangerous summer. Stop and Think! This Fourth of July also proved a spike in lack of common sense and civility being exercised as senseless road rage incidents, shootings and assaults occurred throughout the area. Boating accidents and traffic accidents were also on the rise. More people than ever are not paying attention while texting and driving. Not to mention an increase of hiker related rescue calls from dehydration and unprepared outdoor activities. Stop and Think! I believe in the importance to stop and think. Play the tape forward before acting upon something or a thought and determine what could happen or what are the consequences of our actions. If we just “Stop and Think” we might see different outcomes. The choices you make right now, could be harmful and even deadly to yourself and others. Stop and Think! Printer-friendly version
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