Illegal fireworks aren’t in the sky alone in Modesto area. Cops are there, too
The Modesto Police and Fire departments and Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office are preparing for a busy Fourth of July weekend of illegal fireworks use.
While the city allows “safe and sane” fireworks, like fountains and sparklers, any fireworks that explode or launch into the air are illegal.
The Police Department already has begun its operations to combat illegal fireworks and will continue them through the Fourth of July, public information officer Herman Sahota told The Bee in an email.
The department is using its Sky 1 aircraft and drones to police illegal fireworks from above. Once illegal fireworks are spotted, Sahota said, the department will either mail citations to the property owner or send ground units to issue citations to the violator or property owner.
Residents of properties where illegal fireworks are launched can receive citations even if they were not the ones to actually light the pyrotechnics.
Sahota said illegal fireworks present a risk of fires, injuries, property damage and neighborhood disruptions. Residents can report illegal fireworks activity through the Modesto GO app or by contacting the nonemergency dispatch line at 209-552-2470.
The Sheriff’s Office also plans to ramp up enforcement Fourth of July weekend. Sgt. Michael Carranza said it will have additional patrols in its contract cities, which include Riverbank, Patterson, Waterford and Hughson.
Like Modesto PD, the department will use drones and its helicopter to catch residents using illegal fireworks. Carranza said the department plans to also send administrative fines to violators in the mail.
“It’s just this little admin fine that they’ll get through the mail if we can’t respond to all of them,” Carranza said. “As you can imagine, there are tons and tons of these. So, there’s only so many that we can handle, but we’ll try to intercept and prevent what we can.”
Possessing illegal fireworks is a misdemeanor, but Carranza said charges can get upgraded to a felony if deployed fireworks start a fire or damage a house. Carranza told the Bee that deputies recently received training on the charges related to fireworks.
“I just worry about folks that, you know, get this firework from, you know, God knows where, and then they light that thing, and then it blows up in their paw,” Carranza said. “Those calls are a handful themselves, too.”
Capt. Joe Spani said the Modesto Fire Department is prepared for increased calls and is bringing on more firefighters and rigs for Friday, Saturday and perhaps Sunday. The Stanislaus Regional Fire Investigation Unit will also be upstaffed, Spani said.
He said fires are caused by both legal and illegal fireworks. They can start in natural areas and the dry grass within vacant lots, alleyways and on residential property.
Fireworks are suspected to have started at least two fires in the week leading up to Fourth of July, near the Seventh Street Bridge and near Zeff Road.
At the first scene, Spani said, bystanders told firefighters that fireworks landed on dry grass. While firefighters were cleaning up after that fire, they heard a boom in the area and saw the second one.
“They’re confident that both those fires were caused by fireworks,” Spani said.
What’s the cost if you’re caught?
Penalties for using illegal fireworks in Modesto are $2,000 for the first violation, $3,000 for the second violation within a 36-month period and $4,000 for subsequent violations within the same period. The fine for making or selling illegal fireworks is $10,000.
Last month, authorities seized more than 500 pounds of illegal fireworks in Modesto.
Even while using legal, “safe and sane” fireworks, Spani said, residents should exercise caution. Here are the Fire Department’s tips for safely using fireworks this Fourth of July:
- Keep fireworks away from houses, dry grass and anything that could catch fire
- Do not modify legally bought fireworks
- Avoid trash can fires by soaking used fireworks for at least 12 hours, but ideally 24 hours
Pets should be kept inside in a secure, quiet place during fireworks, according to the Oakdale Police Department Facebook page. Those with questions about animals can call Oakdale animal control at 209-847-2231.
