Los Angeles City Attorney Mike Feuer has warned residents about setting off illegal fireworks for personal use as preparations for Independence Day are underway. Amid concerns of increased risk of a fire hazard because of the ongoing drought, Feuer encouraged Angelenos to enjoy fireworks only at ”professional and permitted shows.”
Feuer said that last year, 9,100 people were injured by fireworks that caused damage to their eyes, feet, or fingers. Historically, more pets go missing on July 4 than any other day in the year, he said.
“We know that in 2020, a fireworks display that was illegal caused a Northridge apartment building to burn to the ground,” Feuer said at a June 16 press conference. “And, of course, because of our drought, any fire that starts is going to spread very quickly.”
He said his office will be working these next few weeks on prevention tactics, such as removing fireworks advertisements from online platforms that focus on LA residents. Feuer said his office has already issued cease and desist letters to online platforms posting such ads.
Meta, Offer Up, and Craigslist are also cooperating with the city attorney’s office to identify and remove targeted ads, Feuer said.
The Los Angeles Fire Department and council districts are also working diligently to spread awareness about the dangers of illegal fireworks.
On July 2, the city will hold a fireworks buyback program.
“Last year, more than a quarter ton of fireworks were turned in,” Feuer said. “And again, they’re turned in, and there’s no consequence for turning those fireworks in; no penalties at all.”
In April, the city attorney’s office prosecuted an individual for illegal fireworks, “and there are going to be other such instances that we anticipate where there'll be a prosecution, if that person can be apprehended,” he noted.
“I want to underscore what that prosecution displays is the fact that if someone is engaged in using or selling illegal fireworks, then that person could face severe consequences.”
