Illegal fireworks suspected in 3 Stanislaus fires. Fourth resulted from sanctioned show
Illegal fireworks are suspected as the cause of three fires in Stanislaus County on Saturday night, and a fourth fire was sparked by a fireworks display in Oakdale, according to fire officials.
A summary of incidents responded to by the Modesto, Turlock and Stanislaus Consolidated fire departments says that about 6:23 p.m., engine crews from Turlock Stations 31 and 34 responded to a report of a tree on fire. The fire was on Baylor Avenue just off Geer Road.
The Engine 34 crew arrived to find six Italian cypress trees on fire, with a structure threatened. Quick action contained the fire to the trees and a short fence, with no damage to the structure.
The Engine 31 crew arrived and supported the suppression efforts. A battalion chief at the scene was able to view a video recording from a neighboring residence. It showed a firework landing near the base of one of the trees.
About 9:15 p.m., according to a battalion chief’s summary, an engine crew from Ceres Station 19 responded to two separate vegetation fires in the area of Central Avenue and Tuolumne Bend Lane, south of the Modesto Airport. The fires were extinguished and there was was no damage to property. Illegal fireworks are believed to have started the fires.
And while on standby for the fireworks display that ended the All American Bash Concert at the Oakdale Rodeo Grounds, an engine crew and a water tender were notified of a vegetation fire just east of the area. The crew quickly accessed and extinguished the fire. A battalion chief confirmed that the fire was sparked by the professional fireworks show at the fairground.
Safe and sane fireworks are allowed in Stanislaus County, but those that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground uncontrollably are banned everywhere in California without special permits.
Fines for illegal fireworks that can be traced to properties may be up to $2,500 per occurrence, said Modesto Deputy Fire Chief Darin Jesberg. They will be sent to property owners regardless whether they are the ones responsible, he said.
In this period around Independence Day, authorities will be out enforcing the illegal fireworks ordinance, Jesberg said.
This story was originally published June 26, 2022 at 11:51 AM.
