Sacramento fire officials issue $100K illegal fireworks citation

Key Points:

• Sacramento Fire Department issued its largest illegal fireworks fine of $100,000 to a Del Paso Heights home where a gathering involved numerous illegal fireworks and a U-Haul trailer fire, which was extinguished by attendees.
• Fines for illegal fireworks in Sacramento County can reach up to $10,000 per device, with penalties increasing if fireworks are near schools, parks, or critical infrastructure; this year, 70 citations totaling about $300,000 were issued on July 4 alone.
• The department deployed seven drones on the Fourth of July to monitor and document illegal fireworks activity, aiding in enforcement and citation issuance; the drones provide clear surveillance footage and the department plans to acquire more.
• Despite ongoing illegal fireworks use across Sacramento, this year saw fewer serious incidents, with no structure or vehicle fires and no fireworks-related injuries reported, though crews responded to 100 fires and 292 calls for service over the holiday period.
• Other local agencies, including the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office, also actively worked to prevent illegal fireworks use, confiscating devices from repeat offenders and holding parents responsible for minors caught with illegal fireworks.