This illegal practice in California could lead to a severe fine of up to $100,000! During the 4th of July celebrations, Independence Day in the United States, thousands of people lit fireworks to commemorate the date. However, in California, a large part of those explosives were illegal, and what many didn’t know is that the authorities were watching from the sky… with secret drones. So, if you’re thinking about lighting fireworks in California, you should know a few things beforehand.
A new aerial surveillance in California
In several Californian municipalities, the authorities implemented a discreet but effective method to detect offenders: drones equipped with cameras that flew over neighborhoods during the holiday weekend.
The aerial units recorded people while they lit fireworks prohibited by law, and the images served as evidence to issue fines directly to the owners of the properties where the events occurred.
A clear example happened in Riverside, a city located about 80 kilometers southeast of Los Angeles. There, the police deployed five drones during the July 4th operation and, thanks to them, issued 65 citations with fines of $1,500 each, according to local authorities.
What fireworks are prohibited in California?
According to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, you mustn’t use devices that: Rise into the sky, explode or move in an uncontrolled way.
Let’s name a few specific examples, among the most common devices classified as dangerous are: Bottle rockets, roman candles, firecrackers, sparklers that explode or rise and aerial shells.
These explosives represent a serious risk of fires, severe injuries, and even property damage. So, make sure you are careful when using them.
Which fireworks are legal in California?
On the other hand, the fireworks considered “safe and sane” in California are those that don’t rise or explode. Among them are:
- Handheld sparklers
- Spark fountains that remain on the ground
- Smoke balls
- Devices that don’t move and can be handled with caution
Even though they are legal, their use is restricted to certain days and authorized places.
Penalties for illegal fireworks in California
One of the most notable controversies is that the fines are not directed at the person who lit the fireworks, but at the property owner where the violation occurred. This means that if you rent your home and the tenants used prohibited explosives, you will receive the citation, even if you weren’t present or didn’t know what was happening.
Penalties vary by city, but in areas like Sacramento they can be:
- $1,000 for the first illegal device
- $2,500 for the second
- $5,000 for each additional one
- Up to $10,000 for each firework set off on public property
In 2023, a resident of Elk Grove, near Sacramento, received a $100,000 fine after a drone recorded how his fireworks threw embers onto neighboring rooftops, which created an extreme fire risk.
The risk of fireworks
The fight against illegal fireworks is not just about noise or inconvenience, but about the serious risks they pose. According to fire chiefs and local government representatives, these devices can:
- Cause wildfires
- Injure people, especially children
- Damage homes
- Affect pets and people with auditory sensitivity
The chief of the Riverside Fire Department was clear: “These kinds of activities are not just a nuisance, they are a real danger that will not be tolerated.” So, if you’re thinking about using fireworks in California, it is really important to know which ones are allowed and which ones can get you into serious trouble. A fine of up to $100,000 isn’t something anyone wants to deal with—so play it safe, follow the rules, and enjoy the celebrations without the risk.