Fireworks Blamed for Two Santa Cruz Fires
Last week, illegal fireworks sparked two wildfires that destroyed more than a quarter-acre of grassland in Santa Cruz. Fortunately, there were no injuries or structures damaged in the fires. Illegal, spent fireworks were found near the scene. If found, the person(s) responsible for possessing and/or igniting the fireworks would face criminal charges for violating California’s fireworks laws.
California’s fireworks laws specifically ban possession or use of fireworks outside of very strict guidelines. These guidelines prevent unlicensed individuals from ever using dangerous fireworks and “lay people” from using anything other than “safe and sane” fireworks, which are only permitted to be used during the days immediately surrounding the fourth of July.
Given the circumstances of these firework-related fires, it would be likely that a culprit would not only be prosecuted under California’s fireworks laws but under California’s reckless burning and/or arson laws as well.
