Nearly 80,000 pounds of illegal fireworks seized along California-Nevada border
Photo Credit: Cal Fire
LOS ANGELES - Cal Fire has seized nearly 80,000 pounds of illegal fireworks along the California- Nevada border.
In an effort to curb the illegal importation of fireworks, Cal Fire officials conducted targeted interdiction operations along the border throughout May and June.
During the operation, they confiscated 79,411 pounds of dangerous fireworks, conducted 932 traffic stops for various violations, issued 215 citations for dangerous fireworks and additional violations, and arrested three individuals.
During a press conference, Cal Fire stated a clear message to the public: "California has zero tolerance for illegal fireworks."
Photo Credit: Cal Fire
"There is no excuse for breaking the law and attempting to transport illegal fireworks into California," said Chief Mike Richwine, California State Fire Marshal. "The illegal fireworks our peace officers have seized puts a dent into the potential devastating injuries, fires, and damage to property that these dangerous devices pose."
RELATED: Bomb squad truck carrying illegal fireworks explodes in South LA, 17 people hurt
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Each fiscal year, the state seizes over 220,000 pounds of fireworks. According to a statement from Cal Fire, in the past five years firefighters have responded to over 5,000 emergencies caused by fireworks, with last year’s incidents skyrocketing over three times more the number of incidents than average.
On Wednesday, over 5,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were seized from a home in South LA. While police were attempting to safely detonate them, a massive explosion occurred… injuring 17 people.
Los Angeles also hosted its first fireworks buyback program Wednesday, modeled after its gun buyback program, in an effort to reduce illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July weekend, particularly in the northeast San Fernando Valley.