No Personal Fireworks Legal in County, Officials Warn

By Bay City News

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District is reminding residents that the sale, possession and use of all fireworks is illegal in the county.

The law even prohibits the use of sparklers and other so-called "safe and sane" fireworks, Fire Marshal Lewis Broschard said.

People who have illegal fireworks for disposal can call their local police departments or the fire district's main office at (925) 941-3300. (The number for the El Cerrito Police Department is (510) 215-4400.) People should not take fireworks to fire stations for disposal, Broschard said.

This Fourth of July is expected to be hot, windy and dry, which means high fire danger in the county. Broschard said fireworks cause injuries and fires each year.

Last year, more than 40 fires caused by fireworks were reported in the fire district's service area. Those fires resulted in damage to at least one structure, and one person was hurt, Broschard said.

Fire officials are urging residents to enjoy fireworks by attending public displays conducted by professionals. They are also urging parents to make sure their children don't have any fireworks and to teach them that fireworks are dangerous.

The public fireworks displays close El Cerrito on Monday include those at the Berkeley Marina, Contra Costa College in San Pablo and at the Martinez Marina.

For a full list of public fireworks displays in Contra Costa County, call the fire district hot line at (925) 941-3328.