(CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, Calif.) After a brutally dry winter, fire officials in Contra Costa County are warning residents of the potential hazards of lighting fireworks in the region, KTVU reports.
A demonstration was held where a firework was lit in a gutter of what looked like a portion of a roof at a fire department training facility to show how quickly a small fire can get out of control. "Just a small firework that lands in someone's gutter," said assistant chief of training at the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District, Lon Goetsch.
While the fire was only a demonstration, Fire Chief Lewis Broschard was quick to remind everyone of the devastating fire that happened around Memorial Day in Antioch when two apartment buildings went up in flames.
"Up to 30 residents lost their homes, lost their apartments as a result of this one act of use of illegal fireworks," Broschard said.
The fire was started when convicted felon James Sossaman threw a firework into a nearby field which then ignited fuel.
Sossaman was arrested and charged with arson. The Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors passed a new ordinance this week regarding the use of fireworks, according to Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton. "Property owners can now be held accountable if illegal fireworks are used on their property," she said.
In addition to the new ordinance, sheriff’s deputies can now issue tickets that include fines for the use of fireworks.
"They start at $100 and they can increase from there depending on the number of incidents," Becton said.
The City of Richmond is also taking action to curb the potential fire hazards by offering a $2,500 reward for information leading to an arrest or fine for illegal fireworks.
Other Bay Area law enforcement agencies are cracking down on the use of illegal fireworks in South San Francisco, East Palo Alto, Oakland and Menlo Park.
"There was an unprecedented level of use of almost-commercial-grade fireworks," Broschard said in regards to the widespread use of fireworks last July Fourth.
Fire officials also said it’s more than just the potential fire hazard posed by fireworks but also includes the dangers to people’s physical safety and the stress fireworks cause to pets and individuals suffering from PTSD.
"It happens. It's real. These fireworks are dangerous and they should not be used, period," Broschard said.
Fire officials also urged residents to register for the Contra Costa County Community Warning System, where they can receive emergency alerts online.