We are a little less than a
week away from the 4th of July,
potentially seeing the skyline across
Sacramento light up with firewo.
So this is our sky camera and I
love showing this video every yr
because this is all illegal stuff. OK?
This is not Cadillac Expo or it's not
some major Elk Grove thing goin.
This is all in real time and the
are all illegal fireworks set of
in people's streets and backyar.
And so local law enforcement
and Sacramento fire,
really any law enforcement
or fire department anywhere,
not happy about that.
So that said, as we know,
fireworks sales do begin today
all across our state and local
firefighters are getting ready r
their busiest night of the year.
Of course that'll be 4th of July
and only the fireworks that
are labeled safe and sane,
so not the ones you saw on your
screen are legal in California,
but firefighters say they end up
responding to hundreds of callsf
illegal ones every single year.
Let's get to ABC10's Bridget Bi,
who's joining us live from a lel
fireworks stand in Sacramento.
Bridget how can people celebrate
holiday while still staying saf?
Well, Bria, the days leading upo
the 4th of July are always extry
busy for California firefighter,
but they're even more concerned
this year because conditions hae
been so dry in terms of vegetat.
And then we have that triple
digit heat in the forecast just
in time for the holiday weekend.
So if you're going to celebrate,
crews advise you to come around
these legal fireworks stands.
We'll see them all around town and buy
the safe and sane fireworks that you see
and make sure you're using them properly.
Colorful displays like these are
part of an American tradition
to celebrate Independence Day,
but they're also responsible for
what Sacramento firefighters say
is their busiest week of the ye.
We look at the week of 4th
of July is almost a Super
Bowl for the fire department.
We are very busy already.
And then you couple that with
people using. Fireworks.
On a normal day, Metro Fire ress
to about 250 to 300 incidents,
but on the 4th of July, crews sy
their call volume nearly triple.
It's why experts are advising te
public to celebrate the holiday safely.
Illegal fireworks in California
are unacceptable and we have
a 0 tolerance towards them. If
you plan on setting off a
firework this Independence Day,
make sure that the safe and sane
legal kind in the state of California.
You can tell by checking for ths
seal by the state. Fire Marshall
This is an example of a fire
display that is legal to purchae
and use in the Golden State.
As you can see,
it doesn't leave the ground,
but Metro Captain Parker Wilborn
says you still need to make
sure you're using them properly
and lighting them away from
anything that can catch fire,
Something even as small as a sofa cushion.
Potentially could catch fire,
especially if it's up against the structure,
and now we have big problems
once fireworks are lit, Wilborn says.
The mistake some people make
is not soaking the displays in
water for 24 hours, he says.
That's because they can still start a
fire that could then spread to your home,
as what happened here in
Carmichael a couple years ago.
When we go to these nuisance fi,
a lot of times those resources e
then drained from 91 emergencie.
And these were preventable.
So as you plan your celebration,
make sure to keep safety top of mind.
How does it come out here live?
You can come by these safe and e
fireworks stands at noon today.
That's when the display is go on sale.
Then you can shoot them off unt0
every night in the city of Sacramento
up until midnight for the 4th of July.
And keep in mind, Bria,
when we did that demonstration for you,
notice we lit that firework,
the safe and sane ones on a flat surface.
It was away from any property,
away from vegetation as well,
because fire crews say conditions are so
dry right now that all it takes is a.
Small spark to set off a fire,
so they are very concerned
about that this year.
Bria, right?
Another good reason to have
that bucket of water nearby.
I know there you're supposed
to soak them after you're done,
but just in case something gets
out of hand, there you go.
You can dunk it or don't throw the water in,
whatever you need to.
But Bridget, before you go,
what's the penalty for those
who use illegal fireworks?
Law enforcement is going to be
out in full force, they tell me.
But they say the challenge is according
to the ordinance on the city bo,
they have to see someone set ofn
illegal firework for them to penalize them.
But if they do, you can phase A0
up to a $2500 fine not only for
you but also the property owner
aware it's being set off.
So keep safety in mind, of cour,
for yourself and others around ,
but also keep in mind that you
could be paying up a hefty
fine if you're caught, Brea
right if the fine isn't enough.
You want to make sure you're
being safe, Bridget. Thank you.