People watch the fireworks over the Toms River Sunday night, July 4, 2021, from a boat docked at the Lighthouse Point Marina & Yacht Club in South Toms River.
Southern California – As thousands of Californians prepare for Independence Day festivities, state and federal agencies are urging residents to reconsider traditional outdoor celebrations—especially those involving fireworks and barbecues—due to dangerous air quality levels expected across much of Southern California.
The National Weather Service and the South Coast Air Quality Management District (AQMD) have issued warnings that fine particle pollution is expected to spike sharply in Los Angeles County, Orange County, and the Inland Empire beginning Friday evening and continuing through Saturday. The source: a combination of stagnant weather, increased holiday emissions, and the dense smoke generated by both professional and backyard fireworks displays.
The AQMD says July 4th and 5th consistently bring some of the worst air quality of the year to the South Coast Air Basin. Fireworks, in particular, are known to release high levels of PM2.5 and PM10—microscopic particles that can lodge deep in the lungs and even enter the bloodstream. These particles are also laced with toxic metals that contribute to serious health risks.
“Personal ‘backyard’ fireworks may lead to localized spikes in particle pollution levels and may spark wildfires,” AQMD said in a statement, adding that the smoke from fireworks only adds to an already heavy baseline of transportation and industrial pollution across the region.
Authorities are urging residents—especially vulnerable populations including seniors, young children, pregnant individuals, and people with heart or lung conditions—to limit outdoor exposure and avoid strenuous activity over the holiday weekend.
Friday night poses the greatest risk, as light winds and warm evening temperatures are expected to trap pollutants close to the ground, causing the Air Quality Index (AQI) to reach the “hazardous” range across inland and coastal communities alike. By Saturday morning, some relief may come as winds begin to disperse lingering pollutants, but levels are still expected to remain elevated into the early afternoon.
Cities including Riverside, San Bernardino, Anaheim, Long Beach, Santa Monica, and Irvine are all expected to be affected, with inland regions bearing the brunt of the pollution for longer periods due to slower dispersion rates.
This year’s warning is not just about personal health—it also speaks to the broader environmental costs of the region’s holiday traditions. In a state already grappling with the long-term consequences of climate change, increasingly frequent wildfires, and growing public health disparities, the collective impact of fireworks on air quality is more than symbolic. It’s a reminder that celebration, too, has its consequences.
