In the days leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, the Los Angeles County Fire Department (LACoFD) participated in several news conferences aimed at warning residents about the dangers and risks related to the use of fireworks.
The first news conference took place at Fire Station 126 on Monday, June 27, 2022, and was hosted by the office of Fifth District County Supervisor Kathryn Barger and councilmembers for the City of Santa Clarita as well as representatives from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Santa Clarita station and the Grossman Burn Center.
A few days later, the LACoFD joined First District County Supervisor Hilda Solis, along with the Sheriff’s Department and the Angeles National Forest, to hold a news conference and share the importance of fireworks safety, especially in the communities of Pomona, South Gate, and Commerce where fireworks-related activity has been especially high in the past few years.
Later in the week on Friday, July 1, the Department teamed up again with the Sheriff’s Department and the Grossman Burn Center to further spread the word about fireworks safety alongside the Los Angeles City Fire Department and California State Fire Marshal. This news conference was held at LACoFD headquarters and emphasized overall Fourth of July safety around grilling and the use of fireworks.
In 2021, nineteen (19) people were injured from the use of fireworks in Los Angeles County; 12 of the 19 individuals received their burns and injuries from illegal fireworks use. Additionally, LACoFD crews responded to 66 fires reportedly caused by fireworks in 2021, resulting in a loss of $265,000 to affected residents.
To prevent fireworks-related injuries and keep communities safe, residents are encouraged to attend professional fireworks shows near them. For a list of available shows, please visit www.fire.lacounty.gov.
