As Independence Day nears, the Montecito Fire Department reminds community members and visitors that fireworks are dangerous and, therefore, illegal in all unincorporated areas of Santa Barbara County, including Montecito.

“The manufacturing, storage, sale, handling and use of all fireworks pose an extreme safety risk to our community and are strictly prohibited in all areas of the Montecito Fire Protection District,” Fire Department officials said.

“Setting off fireworks may lead to injury, property damage or wildfire ignition,” they said.

All fireworks, including ‘safe & sane’ fireworks, such as sparklers, are prohibited in Montecito.

Bonfires are also strictly prohibited at Santa Barbara County beaches within the Montecito Fire Protection District. This includes Butterfly and Miramar beaches.

Vegetation in Montecito is on track to reach critically dry levels by mid-summer, which means the vegetation is highly receptive to burning and any spark that lands in brush has the potential to cause a wildfire, fire officials said.

Fire officials advise leaving fireworks use to the professionals.

The city of Santa Barbara will sponsor a professional fireworks display at 9 p.m. at West Beach.

Anyone with information about illegal fireworks is asked to call the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office at 805-681-4100.

Also, the community is invited to the Montecito Firefighters’ Association’s Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast, 7-11 a.m. at Montecito Fire Station 91, 595 San Ysidro Road. The local community tradition draws hundreds of people to the fire station to kick off Independence Day.

Tickets are $15 at the door. Children ages 10 and under are free. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Montecito Firefighters Charitable Foundation.

Following the Pancake Breakfast, the Montecito Fire Department will participate in the Montecito Association’s Village 4th Road Show at 11:30 a.m.