PRESS RELEASE
City of Woodland Fire Department
1000 Lincoln Ave.
Woodland, CA 95695
Phone: 530-661-5860
Fax: 530-662-5781
(Woodland, CA) - As the Fourth of July approaches, the Woodland Fire Department, in partnership with the Woodland Police Department, are on the lookout for illegal fireworks that could cause serious injury and pose a major fire hazard.
The risk of fires is increased because of the dry grass and vegetation, due to dry weather and lower humidity. Woodland residents are encouraged to proactively remove all dry vegetation around their homes to reduce the potential of a fire near their property.
Last week, Woodland firefighters responded to a grass fire that was believed to have been started by fireworks. “Thankfully, the crews were able to contain the fire before it reached any buildings or personal property,” stated Emily Walling, Fire Marshal at Woodland Fire Department, “but as winds pick up this week, it is even more important to prevent the start of these grass fires.”
Only the use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks are allowed in the City of Woodland. This means the fireworks must bear the State Fire Marshal seal. Any firework that flies in the air, darts across the ground or explodes, is considered illegal in California. However, it is also important to remember that even if a firework is “Safe and Sane,” it does not mean that they can’t start fires – it means they have less chance of starting fires, because they are more controlled. Fireworks not only can cause fires, but severe injury or even death if not used properly.
Police and Fire Departments’ started conducting illegal firework enforcement patrols last weekend, which will continue throughout the holiday and the following days after the holiday. A dedicated team of proactive officers and fire investigators will be on duty to respond to calls related to fireworks and disturbances. Several illegal fireworks have already been confiscated to date. Citations will be given to any individual found using, making, selling, buying, or in the possession of illegal fireworks.
Anyone found to be possessing fireworks that aren’t of the “Safe and Sane” variety, such as firecrackers, bottle rockets, mortars, roman candles, or anything that flies/shoots through the air can be cited a minimum $500 fine and up to one year in county jail. The citation amount can go up to $50,000, depending on the quantity of illegal fireworks in possession.
To report the use of illegal fireworks or other neighborhood disturbances, please contact Yolo Non-Emergency Dispatch at 530-666-2411.