A collection of fireworks — both the “safe-and-sane” legal ones and illegal ones — were among those displayed at a news conference Friday during which safety officials discouraged the use of them on the Fourth of July.Some Bay Area communities allow the use of so-called “safe and sane” fireworks such as hand-held sparklers around July Fourth, even as most ban anything other than professional, licensed shows.
“People using any kind of fireworks, safe and sane or illegal, really contributes to the possibility of there being a fire and it growing significantly, especially with the dry vegetation and wind we’re seeing,” Burkett said. The forecasted high temperatures are also likely to push many people to spend the day at area waterways, including lakes, rivers and the Delta — where many will enjoy themselves by consuming alcohol or recreational drugs — and “it becomes a dangerous mix,” Broschard said.
All fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County. The “safe and sane” variety, which includes sparklers and small firecrackers, are sold through local fundraisers and their use is allowed — under conditions including time and location — in Newark, Union City, Dublin, Gilroy, Pacifica and San Bruno. Those fireworks are banned, along with all other fireworks, in the rest of Alameda, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties.
In Pacifica, the devices can be used from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. through Friday. Residents of San Bruno are allowed to discharge their legal fireworks between noon and 9 p.m. through Wednesday and noon to 11 p.m. Thursday.