Sales of safe and sane fireworks are underway in three North County cities, prompting reminders about the rules and pleas about when to report incidents.
Nonprofit groups in Lompoc, Santa Maria and Guadalupe can sell safe and safe fireworks through the Fourth of July. However, those fireworks can be used only in those cities during specified hours on the holiday, which is Saturday.
While controversial among some, nonprofit groups say the sales serve as a lucrative fundraiser.
Non-safe and sane fireworks, which typically propel into the sky, remain illegal even in the those three cities, where authorities again plan to deploy drones and impose hefty fines to crack down on the scofflaws.
All fireworks, even those sporting the Office of the State Fire Marshal’s safe and sane seal, remain illegal in Santa Barbara, Goleta, Carpinteria, Solvang, Buellton and unincorporated areas of the county such as Orcutt, Montecito, Isla Vista and Vandenberg Village.
“The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to attend a professional public display conducted by trained pyrotechnicians,” County Fire Chief Garrett Huff. “We strongly encourage residents to leave the fireworks to the professionals and enjoy one of the many community shows in our area.”
Officials with the City of Santa Barbara, the Montecito Fire Protection District and the City of Carpinteria also noted the ban on all fireworks.
“Due to Santa Barbara County’s drought-prone area and rich wildfire history, the use of unauthorized illegal fireworks poses a significant risk of fires,” Santa Barbara officials said in a reminder.
On Monday morning, Montecito Fire Protection District representatives reminded residents that fireworks pose an extreme safety risk to the community as vegetation remains on track to reach critically dry levels by midsummer.
“This means the vegetation is highly receptive to burning and any spark that lands in brush has the potential to cause a wildfire,” Montecito Fire officials said. “While fireworks are synonymous with many Independence Day celebrations, we ask our community to consider the safety of their neighbors and the environment this holiday and leave fireworks displays to professionals.”
Professional fireworks displays are set to start at 9 p.m. Saturday at West Beach in Santa Barbara and 9 p.m. at Mission Santa Ines in Solvang.
Additionally, a drone light show is planned at Dos Pueblos High School, 7266 Alameda Ave. in Goleta. Gates will open at 6 p.m., and the event is set to conclude at about 9:30 p.m. Depending on weather, the drone show is scheduled to begin at 9:15 p.m.
Bonfires are also strictly prohibited at Santa Barbara County beaches within the Montecito Fire Protection District, including Butterfly and Miramar beaches.
For those in the Sheriff’s Office jurisdiction, including Carpinteria, Goleta, Solvang, Buellton and unincorporated areas such as Montecito and Orcutt, residents who witness the use of illegal fireworks are encouraged to report activity to the non-emergency dispatch line by calling 805.683.2724.
For Santa Barbara city residents, the non-emergency line for reporting illegal fireworks use is 805.882.8900.
The plethora of illegal fireworks has flooded emergency dispatchers with calls, prompting the Lompoc Police Department to remind residents how and when to report the illegal fireworks.
“While we encourage residents to report illegal fireworks, 9-1-1 should only be used to report emergencies involving an immediate threat to life or property,” Lompoc Police Sgt. Vincent Magallon said.
To report illegal fireworks in Lompoc, residents are encouraged to use the “Fireworks” reporting feature available in the Lompoc Police Department mobile app or call the department’s non-emergency line at 805.736.2341.
Likewise, Santa Maria has a fireworks hotline available by calling 805.925.0951 x3473 (FIRE) or via a page on the city website by clicking here.
In Guadalupe, anonymous tips may be made by calling 805.956.7394 or at facebook.com/GuadalupePD.
When reporting, callers should provide the location and as much detail as possible.
Santa Maria, Lompoc and Guadalupe have active enforcement efforts to crack down on the illegal use of fireworks. Those efforts include the use aircraft with satellite-based navigation to pinpoint the property where illegal fireworks are being ignited.
Administrative citations can lead to $1,000 fines.
Santa Barbara police officers and city firefighters also will conduct joint patrols to enforce the ban on illegal fireworks within the city, where some caught by authorities could face a misdemeanor citation that includes a $1,000 fine and/or six months in jail.