When and where are ‘safe and sane’ fireworks legal in SLO County?
“Don’t do it!”
That’s the message firefighters and law-enforcement agencies have for anybody who’s even thinking about bringing fireworks to most of San Luis Obispo County for July 4 — or anytime. That includes the entire North Coast.
At a time when wildfires have raged around the county — think of the Avila Fire, the Riata Fire and two wildfires within two weeks on Big Sur’s Plaskett Ridge — anything that can light a blaze is a cause for deep concern.
Residents near the Plaskett Ridge fires, for instance, have said those fires were caused respectively by an illegal campfire in a closed national forest area, and a car with a hot engine and exhaust system parking on dry grass.
Just imagine what disaster could be caused by an errant firework, or even a sparkler.
Firefighters don’t have to imagine it. They’ve seen it up close and very personal.
Clint Bullard, Cal Fire spokesman, said June 26 that according to state and county regulations, it’s illegal to sell, possess or use fireworks, even the so-called “safe and sane” ones, anywhere in San Luis Obispo County except for the cities of Arroyo Grande and Grover Beach and within the community services districts of Templeton, San Miguel and Oceano.
Don’t take fireworks anyplace else, he warned.
“All fireworks present a significant concern to Cal Fire at all times,” Bullard said. “Even the ‘safe and sane ones’ can be an additional ignition source for wildfires. Do we anticipate more people using fireworks this year, due to the lack of professional shows in the county? We would hope not.”
The risk is year-round, he said, “but especially in the summer around the Fourth of July,” a time that often brings “hot, dry, windy weather over the dry terrain.”
That’s when fuel-moisture levels are low and “we see an uptick in wildland fires, many of which can be attributed to fireworks,” he said.
And wildfires don’t always happen where they’re expected.
During the recent Avila Fire, flames raced “down the hills on the back side of Avila Beach and Shell Beach,” Bullard said. “The wind was howling. … We definitely dodged a serious bullet, thanks to great work by the community and responders.”
No homes were lost in that fire, although the flames came heart-stoppingly close, and nobody was injured.
Fireworks banned at state parks and beaches
Fireworks also are “prohibited at all local state parks and beaches,” said Dan Falat, superintendent of the parks agency’s San Luis Obispo Coast District. “Rangers will be enforcing all laws to protect the parks and ensure the public’s safety … and any violations are subject to citation and eviction from the park.”
In fact, there are penalties for anybody caught ignoring the laws.
In Cal Fire jurisdictions, which cover much of the county, Bullard said, fines for fireworks possession can range up to $2,000.
The incendiary devices very likely will be confiscated, and if a fire results from fireworks use, whoever set off the devices could be held financially and criminally liable for damages and firefighting costs.
SLO County Fourth of July fireworks shows canceled
In the past, professional fireworks displays — such as the ones traditionally held in Cambria, Cayucos, Pismo Beach and other areas — have filled public demand for brilliant, extravagant celebrations.
There won’t be any of those in San Luis Obispo County this year.
Each governing body opted to cancel its professional fireworks spectacular for public safety and public health reasons, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and regulations restricting gatherings of more than 10 people in one place.
While firefighters agree that the cancellations of those events were wise and warranted, the lack of the professional shows raises their level of concern about people seeking to fill the gap by creating their own displays in areas where they’re not allowed.
Emily Torlano, captain at the Cambria Fire Department, said she anticipates that the situation “definitely might bring more problems countywide,” especially over the Independence Day holiday period.
That’s especially true in remote, hilly, brushy and forested areas laced with potential fire tinder.
Torlano lives in a community where fireworks are banned, and “people already are popping them off all over the place,” she said.
So, firefighters, law enforcers and concerned citizens will be on high alert during the holiday season and beyond.
Torlano said that people should call 911 if they hear fireworks going off in areas where they’re banned, especially if they can help narrow the location where it’s happening.
Her advice about personal fireworks, even the “safe and sane” ones? She suggests finding a less risky holiday amusement.
“Don’t even buy the fireworks. They’re dangerous,” Torlano said. “With the way our fire fuels are already, they shouldn’t even be selling fireworks in California. They’ll start fires and injure people.”
