Tuesday, 28 July 2026, 12:14
As Siskiyou County braces for another dry, fire-prone summer, CAL FIRE is sending a clear message: leave fireworks to the professionals this Independence Day. With multiple wildfires already burning across the West and a record-breaking fireworks season expected for America's 250th anniversary, officials warn that even legal fireworks pose unacceptable risks in local conditions.
Siskiyou County, like much of Northern California, has experienced an unusually dry winter and early summer heat, creating abundant dry grass and forest fuels. According to USA Today, firefighters across the West have already responded to dozens of fireworks-sparked fires in June. CAL FIRE Chief Daniel Berlant noted that the agency has seen a “sign of what is to come” after responding to more than a dozen such fires this month alone. In the past week alone, hundreds of wildfires erupted throughout the West, adding to the already above-average pace for acreage burned so far this year. The flames are being fueled by dry, windy conditions. While the Southwest was hit particularly hard by an unusually dry winter and dismal snowpack, other parts of the U.S., including much of the East Coast and parts of the South, are experiencing varying levels of drought, according to data from the U.S. Drought Monitor.
California maintains strict fireworks regulations. Only consumer fireworks bearing the State Fire Marshal’s “Safe and Sane” seal — which must stay on the ground — are legal, and only when sold through permitted booths in approved cities or counties. In Siskiyou County, many communities prohibit all fireworks. Violators face fines of up to $50,000 and up to one year in jail for possessing or using illegal fireworks. Illegal items include metal-core sparklers, skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers, and any device that explodes or launches uncontrollably.
One growing concern is fireworks bought online or shipped from out of state. “Purchasing fireworks online or outside of licensed ‘Safe and Sane’ booths is illegal, dangerous, and contributes to injuries and destructive wildfires,” Berlant said at a Sacramento press conference. CAL FIRE inspectors have been monitoring purchases statewide, and in 2025 they confiscated 1 million pounds of illegal fireworks — up from the typical 250,000 pounds.
Fireworks cause tens of thousands of wildfires annually across the U.S., resulting in deaths, injuries, and millions in property damage. Dr. Soman Sen, Assistant Chief of Burns at Shriners Children’s Northern California, emphasized the life-changing consequences: “Every year, we see firsthand the life-changing burn injuries caused by fireworks.” He urged families to keep children away from all fireworks and to ensure only responsible adults handle even legal devices. Nearly 85% of wildfires are caused by people, both intentionally and unintentionally, such as when power lines fail or campfires are left unattended. Lightning strikes are a common natural cause, but rarer culprits, such as animals chewing exposed wires, can cause fires, too. Ingredients for a wildfire include flammable vegetation, weather conditions and an ignition source. Fireworks serve as an ignition source, which is why the number of fires spikes each year on July Fourth, said Philip Higuera, a fire ecology professor at the University of Montana. “It’s not because the Fourth of July is particularly always warm and dry and windy,” he said. “It’s because there are a lot of ignitions added to the landscape on that single day.”
Siskiyou County sits in a high-risk wildfire zone, with recent blazes like the Lava Fire and others underscoring the danger. The California Fire Foundation notes that the vast majority of wildfires in the state are human-caused, including by fireworks. In Southern California, cities like Los Angeles ban all consumer fireworks, while a few — such as Alhambra, Downey, and Hawthorne — allow “Safe and Sane” types. For Siskiyou, the safest option is to attend a licensed public display or use non-flammable items like glow sticks. Beyond California, Utah recently banned personal fireworks displays, citing extreme wildfire risk. Governors in Colorado and New Mexico this week urged restraint, while cities and counties from the Southwest to Oregon and Washington have imposed restrictions of their own. Only Utah has enacted statewide restrictions, with Gov. Spencer Cox declaring an emergency because of wildfire risk. In other states, decisions are being made at a local level. Although some cities and counties are still planning to hold fireworks displays, others have canceled them, including Colorado Springs, the second-largest city in Colorado. Wednesday's decision was made just as a Rocky Mountain foothills fire 50 miles (80 kilometers) south of the city surged across 55 square miles (142 square kilometers), destroying well over 100 structures. Certain counties in Florida have burn bans in place. Fireworks restrictions are nothing new, but some areas are making the call for the first time. Frank Wirth, fire chief in Alamosa, Colorado, made the tough call to cancel his town's fireworks display because dry conditions are expected. The city of nearly 10,000 is surrounded by brush and grass, and several hundred people typically attend the annual fireworks show. “I think they’re disappointed, and I’m disappointed, too,” Wirth said, but “fireworks are a cause of fires, there’s no two ways about it.”
The fireworks industry raked in $2.3 billion last year, and that figure could climb to $3 billion this year due to America 250 celebrations, according to Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association. Heckman encouraged people to buy from a reputable licensed seller, whether it’s a big-box store or a nonprofit, and to follow the instructions to avoid injuries. After using fireworks, have a bucket of water handy to soak the spent fireworks before disposing of them, she said. Just because there's not a flame, it doesn’t mean that combustion isn’t still happening. Experts also said to pay attention to local authorities and to be mindful of any restrictions. “The conditions dictate the tactics,” said Joe Ten Eyck, a wildland fire expert with the International Association of Fire Fighters. “And so that could put a damper on some people’s celebrating and they may have to celebrate in a different way.” Intentionally or unintentionally causing a wildfire is a punishable offense nationwide, though the consequences vary by jurisdiction. But the safest option is to forego personal fireworks and opt for a professional show, where fire crews are usually on standby. These days, some displays use drone shows instead of combustible pyrotechnics, which further minimizes the fire risk.
This Fourth of July, Siskiyou County residents are urged to prioritize safety over tradition. Check local regulations, avoid illegal fireworks, and consider attending a professional show. For more information on fireworks safety and local laws, visit readyforwildfire.org. Let’s keep our communities and wildlands safe.
