49,000 Lbs. Of Illegal Fireworks Seized In Bay Area, NorCal

BAY AREA — Bay Area streets will be a bit quieter this 4th of July, after CAL FIRE announced the seizure of over 49,000 pounds of illegal fireworks. They were stored at locations in Hayward, Walnut Creek, Oakland, Copperopolis, Modesto and Salida. It's one of the largest seizures in California history.

CAL FIRE law enforcement officers arrested seven people as part of the investigation. They are accused of illegally importing, transporting, storing, distributing and selling illegal and dangerous fireworks in California for more than 30 years.

Officers also seized over $115,000 in cash as well as a variety of computers, cell phones, firearms and personal items.

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If you only think of CAL FIRE in terms of fighting wildfires, this is part of its broader mission to protect the public and natural resources, including enforcing Fire and Life Safety Laws.

According to CAL FIRE, fireworks start 18,500 fires in California each year, including 1,300 structure fires and 300 vehicle fires. These fires, on average, cause three deaths, 40 injuries, and $43 million in property damage.

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“In California, we have a zero tolerance for the use and sale of illegal fireworks,” said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of CAL FIRE. “With the increase in large, devastating fires across the state, we cannot stand by and allow this type of activity to occur, threatening not only property and natural resources, but the lives of the citizens we protect.”

CAL FIRE was assisted in its investigation by the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the California Highway Patrol (CHP), Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office and Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office as they served ten search warrants in Alameda, Contra Costa, Calaveras and Stanislaus counties.

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-Images via CAL FIRE