Santa Rosa, CA – Summer is officially underway which means increased outdoor activities, with the Fourth of July being no exception. The City of Santa Rosa Fire Department wants to remind residents that the possession, storage, sale and use of all fireworks is illegal within the City of Santa Rosa. It is also illegal to purchase “Safe and Sane” fireworks from neighboring cities such as Cloverdale and Rohnert Park, and bring them into Santa Rosa.

Violation of the City’s Fireworks ordinance will result in a citation, which includes fines up to $500.00. Violations of laws regarding dangerous fireworks will result in immediate enforcement action, which could include a citation with fines up to $1,000.00 or arrest depending on the violation. All fireworks will be considered contraband and confiscated for disposal in accordance with guidelines established by the California State Fire Marshal’s Office.

“With the cancelation of this year’s local professional fireworks display at the Fairgrounds due to COIVD-19, it is even more imperative that we ask residents to adhere to the fireworks ban,” said City of Santa Rosa Fire Chief Tony Gossner. “We encourage our community to celebrate in new and creative ways that will honor the spirit of Independence Day without the use of fireworks. We need everyone to work together to prevent fires from impacting our community.”

According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires per year, including 1,300 structure fires. Approximately 30 percent of the City of Santa Rosa is located within the Wildland-Urban Interface Fire Area and the use of fireworks in these areas poses a significant threat to the community, especially with the dried grasses and vegetation Santa Rosa is currently experiencing.

For more information, visit SRCity.org/FireworksBan.