Fresno cracks down on illegal fireworks, doubling first offense fines. It’s expensive
Fresno is cracking down on party hosts where illegal fireworks are set off and hiking the fines if you get caught.
The Fresno City Council on Thursday passed an ordinance amendment increasing the fines and expanding who can get in trouble.
Previously, the first fine was $1,000. Now, the first fine will be $2,000, and subsequent fines will be $3,000 and $5,000 based on the number of occurrences.
In addition, the city is expanding its enforcement of illegal fireworks. The new fee structure is meant to offset those costs.
In the past, Fresno’s police and fire departments only could fine someone who set off the firework. Now, firefighters and police officers can fine and cite owners and tenants who allow guests to light illegal fireworks at their homes, in the street, or near the homes. They’ll also issue fines and tickets to party-goers who supervise illegal firework activity.
The new rules are similar to those in California cities such as Sacramento, San Jose, Long Beach, Visalia, and Tulare, Fresno Fire Chief Kerri Donis said.
Public safety officials also will begin public outreach and education to warn against the dangers and consequences of lighting illegal fireworks. They’ll also conduct sting operations for online sales of illegal fireworks and canvass neighborhoods around July Fourth.
Each year, firefighters and police officers respond to thousands of calls regarding illegal fireworks. The public safety departments also respond and put out structure and vegetation fires sparked by illegal fireworks.
“We don’t want to arrest anybody. We don’t want to give any fines,” Fresno Police Chief Paco Balderrama said. “But the fact of the matter is that last year, it was a major, major issue, and the drought is still going on. So it’s a real safety concern.”
Feleena Sutton, a lifelong Fresnan, told the City Council on Thursday that she and her Marine veteran husband’s quiet evenings often are disrupted by mortars exploding around their home. She asked the council to support the amendment fully.
“Several times a year, we witness numerous neighbors using illegal fireworks and the display of blatant disregard for public health and safety,” Sutton said. “We are just beyond fed up and so happy to see that this ordinance is being introduced.”
Fresno City Councilmember Miguel Arias, who represents downtown and southwest Fresno, said he’d like to see the city host a firework show to give residents an alternative to setting off their own aerial fireworks. He noted that many small towns in the county, such as Kingsburg and Selma, put on such shows.
Councilmember Mike Karbassi said each year around July Fourth, the council offices are flooded with calls about illegal fireworks. He noted that fireworks also cause a spike in air pollution, which is detrimental to residents’ health, even if temporary.
“We need laws with teeth,” he said. “We need stronger enforcement.”