Local

Fireworks sales a booming business in the Valley

Fresno Bee Staff
Aubrey Woo, left, 5, and her sister Tegan, 5, of Fresno, look over the fireworks packages they bought with their grandmother Molly Rasp at the VFW Post 3225 fireworks stand in Clovis on Sunday, July 2, 2017. Vendors are anticipating their big selling days to be Monday and Tuesday.
Aubrey Woo, left, 5, and her sister Tegan, 5, of Fresno, look over the fireworks packages they bought with their grandmother Molly Rasp at the VFW Post 3225 fireworks stand in Clovis on Sunday, July 2, 2017. Vendors are anticipating their big selling days to be Monday and Tuesday. CRAIG KOHLRUSS ckohlruss@fresnobee.com

Fireworks sales are nearing the peak as Independence Day nears.

Stands operated by nonprofits such as church groups are throughout the central San Joaquin Valley. Sales benefit the groups, and for most of them the 4th of July marks one of the biggest fundraisers of the year.

Clovis Fire Chief John Binaski, representing the Central Valley Fireworks Task Force, talked about fireworks safety last week during the annual pre-Fourth of July news conference and demonstration.

The fireworks stands sell “safe and sane” items that have the state fire marshal’s seal. Binaski said that means fireworks that won’t leave the ground when lit. “If they leave the ground, if they come off the asphalt, those are definitely illegal fireworks,” Binaski said.

Anyone caught using illegal fireworks faces a $1,000 fine. Binaski also said such fireworks have the potential to injure the user or others, as well as cause fires. “When things leave the ground ... they cause fires we have to respond to.”

This story was originally published July 2, 2017 at 5:36 PM with the headline "Fireworks sales a booming business in the Valley."

Get unlimited digital access
#ReadLocal

Try 1 month for $1

CLAIM OFFER