Firework safety is a big focus, especially with hot and dry conditions ahead of the Fourth of July.This year, the city of Elk Grove is taking a unique approach to get ahead of the holiday. Officials will host an illegal fireworks amnesty event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 71.“We're trying to get folks the opportunity to drop them off, no questions asked, so that they're not used in the community. They don't create a grass fire. They don't create a hazard,” Consumnes Fire Marshal Lantz Rey said. In Elk Grove, there’s a big fine if you don’t turn them over to officials. "In the city of Elk Grove, we can fine you up to $1,000 per device, and there's no cap on that,” Rey said. “So if you have a large stash of illegal fireworks and we issue you a citation, you could have a citation that's $20 or $30,000.They're hoping this will help people realize the dangers of illegal fireworks that the fire department sees year after year. “We do anticipate it'll still be a very busy year for us, but it's one of those things that we're asking the community to be smart, make sure that they're doing the safest thing,” Rey said. “Please be safe. Please don't shoot explosives up into the air.”There are a few fireworks stands along Elk Grove Boulevard that are set to sell legal fireworks beginning Friday. Mackenzie Campbell helps to run one of them with her family. "I love it,” Campbell said. “It's just great to see the smile on everybody's faces when they come up, especially the little kids.”A portion of the proceeds they make at the fireworks stand goes to a non-profit. In their case, it's Dream Catchers and Hospice."Dream Catchers was started to help support the handicapped adult school and buying tablets and other learning essentials that they will need,” Campbell said. “And this year, we are contributing to hospice as well. My aunt passed away from terminal cancer, so it’s really close to home.”She said a donation to Dream Catchers should be just one reason for people to buy legal fireworks.“People want to do fireworks. It's just really important to make sure you're doing the legal ones as those stay on the ground,” Campbell said. “Lots of accidents happen from illegal fireworks. So it's really good to have a booth here to help steer people away from purchasing illegal fireworks or shooting them off.”Their stand is at 8787 Elk Grove Boulevard and will open on Friday at noon. Fireworks being sold in the stands are safe and legal to use in cities where they are allowed. Any legal firework will have a seal from the State Fire Marshal's Office on the side.Rey also emphasized safe disposal of fireworks is important. He said to put them in a bucket of water to sit overnight after setting them off. See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
ELK GROVE, Calif. —
Firework safety is a big focus, especially with hot and dry conditions ahead of the Fourth of July.
This year, the city of Elk Grove is taking a unique approach to get ahead of the holiday. Officials will host an illegal fireworks amnesty event this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Fire Station 71.
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“We're trying to get folks the opportunity to drop them off, no questions asked, so that they're not used in the community. They don't create a grass fire. They don't create a hazard,” Consumnes Fire Marshal Lantz Rey said.
In Elk Grove, there’s a big fine if you don’t turn them over to officials.
"In the city of Elk Grove, we can fine you up to $1,000 per device, and there's no cap on that,” Rey said. “So if you have a large stash of illegal fireworks and we issue you a citation, you could have a citation that's $20 or $30,000.
This content is imported from Twitter.You may be able to find the same content in another format, or you may be able to find more information, at their web site.
Here is your chance to get rid of illegal fireworks with no questions asked. Remember, the fine, if you are caught with illegal fireworks, is $1000 per illegal firework. Help us make Elk Grove a safer place this 4th of July. https://t.co/29ck5RZKWc
— EGPD (@ElkGrovePD) June 17, 2024
They're hoping this will help people realize the dangers of illegal fireworks that the fire department sees year after year.
“We do anticipate it'll still be a very busy year for us, but it's one of those things that we're asking the community to be smart, make sure that they're doing the safest thing,” Rey said. “Please be safe. Please don't shoot explosives up into the air.”
There are a few fireworks stands along Elk Grove Boulevard that are set to sell legal fireworks beginning Friday. Mackenzie Campbell helps to run one of them with her family.
"I love it,” Campbell said. “It's just great to see the smile on everybody's faces when they come up, especially the little kids.”
A portion of the proceeds they make at the fireworks stand goes to a non-profit. In their case, it's Dream Catchers and Hospice.
"Dream Catchers was started to help support the handicapped adult school and buying tablets and other learning essentials that they will need,” Campbell said. “And this year, we are contributing to hospice as well. My aunt passed away from terminal cancer, so it’s really close to home.”
She said a donation to Dream Catchers should be just one reason for people to buy legal fireworks.
“People want to do fireworks. It's just really important to make sure you're doing the legal ones as those stay on the ground,” Campbell said. “Lots of accidents happen from illegal fireworks. So it's really good to have a booth here to help steer people away from purchasing illegal fireworks or shooting them off.”
Their stand is at 8787 Elk Grove Boulevard and will open on Friday at noon.
Fireworks being sold in the stands are safe and legal to use in cities where they are allowed. Any legal firework will have a seal from the State Fire Marshal's Office on the side.
Rey also emphasized safe disposal of fireworks is important. He said to put them in a bucket of water to sit overnight after setting them off.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app.
