Watch out for secret drones! During the July 4th celebrations, Independence Day in the United States, many people organized parties and fireworks displays. However, in the state of California, a large part of those fireworks were illegal. What many didn’t know is that, during that holiday weekend, authorities used secret drones with cameras to watch from the sky and record those who were using explosives not permitted by law.
These drones recorded images of people lighting illegal fireworks and, later, authorities sent fines by mail to the property owners where the activity took place. The fines began arriving in mailboxes the week after the celebrations, so some people didn’t even know they had been fined until they received the notice. Let’s get more information about this situation!
What fireworks are illegal in California?
According to the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, state law prohibits any type of firework that: Rises into the sky, explodes and moves uncontrollably on the ground. This includes, for example:
- Skyrockets
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Aerial shells
- Firecrackers
- Sparklers that rise or explode
All of these are classified as dangerous fireworks because of their potential to cause fires or serious injuries.
What fireworks are legal?
Legal fireworks in California are those that don’t make any of the actions the California Governor’s Office of Emergency stated as illegal, as we previously mentioned. In this category we find:
- Handheld sparklers
- Fountains that shoot sparks but stay on the ground
- Smoke balls
- Other devices that remain static and do not pose danger if used properly
How much is a fine?
Fines vary by city, but in places like Sacramento, they can increase very quickly. So, let’s find out how much would you have to pay if you use any of the illegal fireworks:
- $1,000 for the first firework
- $2,500 for the second
- $5,000 for each additional one
- Up to $10,000 per firework if launched on public property, like a park
And there is no limit to the number of fines. If drones detect that many fireworks were used on one property, authorities can apply a fine for each one. Thus, it’s possible for a person to receive multiple fines totaling tens of thousands of dollars.
In a case last year in Elk Grove (near Sacramento), someone received a $100,000 fine after a drone recorded how the fireworks they were using sent embers onto the roofs of neighboring houses, which represents an extreme fire hazard.
What if you weren’t the one who lit them?
An important detail is that the fines are sent to the property owner, not necessarily to the person who set off the fireworks. This means that if you rent out your house and tenants use illegal fireworks, the fine is sent to you as the owner, no matter if you were not present on the property during the activity or if you didn’t know what they were doing.
This has raised concerns among many property owners who could be held responsible for the actions of other people.
How are drones used?
Several municipalities in California are using drones as a new method of control to combat the use of illegal fireworks. Drones can record video from the air, are hard to see so that people don’t know they’re being watched, and allow police and firefighters to have clear visual evidence to justify the fines.
An officer from Riverside, a city about 80 km southeast of Los Angeles, explained that it used to be difficult to issue citations because an agent had to directly see the person using the fireworks. But with drones, that is no longer necessary. Now, video is the main evidence.
In Riverside, for example, this year they used five drones and issued 65 citations, each with a $1,500 fine.
Why is this such a serious issue?
According to fire chiefs and local authorities, illegal fireworks are not just noisy—they are a real risk to public safety. Especially the commercial or aerial types. These can:
- Start wildfires
- Damage homes
- Cause serious or permanent injuries
- Affect pets and people sensitive to noise
The fire chief of Riverside said these activities are not just a nuisance but a serious danger that will not be tolerated. So, next time you want to light fireworks, think about all the consequences for you and the environment. Drones are watching!