Boxes of fireworks sit wrapped and stacked ready to ship Richard Shields Thursday, May 30, 2024, at North Central Industries in Muncie.
Los Angeles, California – Just months after Angelenos endured the devastating Palisades and Eaton Canyon fires in January, Cal Fire has confirmed the seizure of more than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks from a warehouse in the City of Commerce — a chilling reminder of the ever-present fire threat facing Southern California.
According to officials, the massive cache was discovered during a raid conducted by the California Office of the State Fire Marshal in coordination with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). The investigation revealed that the warehouse was operated by a licensed fireworks importer/exporter who was storing dangerous explosives illegally.
Photos released by Cal Fire show boxes of fireworks stacked floor to ceiling in the warehouse. Large rental trucks were used to safely transport the explosives to a secure storage location.
The bust comes as Los Angeles County braces for another hot and dry summer. With Fourth of July celebrations looming, fire officials are warning residents that illegal fireworks pose an especially grave threat in fire-prone areas like L.A. County, where dry vegetation, Santa Ana winds, and rising temperatures create perfect storm conditions for wildfires.
Despite the fact that the City of Commerce allows “safe and sane” fireworks—those that meet the State Fire Marshal’s approval—most fireworks, including skyrockets, firecrackers, and any that do not carry the “Safe and Sane” seal, are strictly prohibited in the city of Los Angeles and many surrounding communities.
Violations carry steep penalties. Possessing or using illegal fireworks in restricted areas can result in fines up to $50,000 and up to one year in jail.
Since 2022, property losses from fireworks-related fires in California have exceeded $4 million, with many of those incidents occurring in high-risk wildfire zones. The fires not only endanger homes and infrastructure but also strain firefighting resources that are already stretched thin during peak fire season.
“Fireworks are illegal in parts of California due to the significant risk they pose, as they cause severe injuries and millions of dollars in property damage each year,” Cal Fire said in a statement. “Large grass crops and dry vegetation increase the threat of devastating fires throughout all of California.”
As fire season intensifies and Independence Day approaches, officials are urging the public to celebrate safely and report illegal firework activity.
