As Fourth of July approaches, Pasadena officials remind the public of the city’s “zero-tolerance” fireworks policy, noting in a press release on Monday, June 17, that “fireworks are among the most dangerous of all consumer products.”
The city’s municipal code holds property owners and tenants responsible for allowing the possession, sale, use or discharge of fireworks on their properties, officials said. This ordinance permits the prosecution of fireworks-related offenses and mandates payments for the safe disposal of confiscated fireworks.
Violators of the ordinance or any state laws regarding fireworks can face severe penalties including arrest, vehicle impoundment, up to one year in county jail and fines of up to $50,000.
Officials also warn that hand-held sparklers, often considered safe, can also be hazardous as they can reach temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Fahrenheit, posing significant risks of burns or fires.
According to the National Fire Protection Association, a majority of fireworks-related injuries are caused by “safe and sane” fireworks, which typically include fireworks that do not explode or fly, such as sparklers and fountains. These kinds of fireworks are illegal in Pasadena, officials said.
“Help keep our community—our children, our homes and our property—safe from illegal fireworks. If you see something, say something,” city officials urge.
Residents are encouraged to report illegal fireworks and other suspicious activities to the Pasadena Police Department at (626) 744-4241 or through the City Service Center mobile app (Pasadena CSC), available on Google Play and the App Store.
Pasadena police and firefighters will work together to conduct special fireworks enforcement patrols before and during the Fourth of July holiday. Officers will seize fireworks to protect the public, and parking enforcement officers will impound vehicles illegally parked in Pasadena’s hillside areas on July 4.
Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin and Police Chief Gene Harris encourage everyone to prioritize safety while responsibly celebrating the nation’s birthday.
The city provides the following safety reminders:
- Pasadena enforces a “NO Fireworks, Zero Tolerance Policy.”
- Celebrate responsibility; always designate a driver.
- If outdoors, use sunscreen, wear a brimmed hat for shade, and stay hydrated
- Always designate someone to watch over the barbecue and swimming pool
- Call 9-1-1 for all life-threatening emergencies.
- Call (626) 744-4241 for all other public safety needs. If You See Something, Say Something, especially about illegal fireworks. The home, property or lives you save might be your own.
- Visit ReadyPasadena.net for emergency preparedness information and register your phones to receive Red Flag Alerts or other emergency notifications.
Pasadena’s decades-old annual Fourth of July AmericaFest celebration, will not take place this year. Instead, the Rose Bowl Stadium will host a LA Galaxy vs. LAFC soccer match on July 4th. Only ticket holders will be allowed to park in the area, and parking will be strictly enforced around the stadium.
