Fireworks Safety
Keep your cause for celebration from causing a wildfire.
Don’t spark a wildfire this 4th of July!
Don’t spark a wildfire this Fourth of July. In some areas of California, all fireworks are illegal. Protect your community with a responsible and fire-safe celebration.
Remember fireworks spark fires: Check your local laws and ordinances to find out if fireworks are legal where you live, or if certain “Safe and Sane” fireworks are permitted.
Firework safety tips
From selection to ignition, practicing fireworks safety measures is crucial to prevent accidental wildfires.
- California has zero tolerance for the sale and use of illegal fireworks. Illegal fireworks include:
- Sky rockets
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Aerial shells
- Firecrackers
- Other fireworks that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner
- It is illegal to sell, transport, or use fireworks that do not carry the “Safe and Sane” seal, and it is illegal to possess or use any fireworks in a community where they are not permitted.
- If convicted, a violator could be fined up to $50,000, be sent to jail for up to one year, or both.
- There are nearly 300 California communities that allow “Safe and Sane” fireworks. View a list of retail booth cities and counties here.
- Parents are liable for any damage or injuries caused by their children using fireworks.
The Office of State Fire Marshal requires the licensing of all pyrotechnic operators, fireworks manufacturers, importer-exporters, wholesalers, retailers, and public display companies. View the Fireworks Program.
- Use only State Fire Marshal approved fireworks
- Local ordinances should be verified before purchasing and/or using fireworks
- Always read directions
- Always have an adult present
- Only use fireworks outdoors
- Never use fireworks near dry grass or other flammable materials
- Light one firework at a time
- Have a bucket of water and a hose nearby
- During this drought it is recommended that you use a bucket of gray/reused water to submerge your firework after it is used to fully extinguish it.
- Never place any part of your body directly over a fireworks device when lighting the fuse
- Back up several feet immediately after lighting a firework
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person
- Never experiment with fireworks
- Never attempt to re-light or “fix” fireworks
- Do not wear loose fitting clothing while lighting fireworks
- Never carry fireworks in your pockets
- Fireworks are not toys
Communities Permitting State-Approved Fireworks
Here is a list of the communities in California that permit the sale and use of state-approved fireworks each 4th of July (updated as of 5/2025).* Indicates unincorporated areas
Alameda County
- Dublin
- Newark
- Union City
Amador County
- Ione
- Jackson
- Plymouth
- Sutter Creek
Butte County
- Gridley
- Oroville
Calaveras County
- Angels Camp
- Burson*
- Calaveras County*
- Murphys*
- San Andreas*
- Valley Springs*
- Copperopolis*
- Mokelumne Hill*
Colusa County
- Arbuckle*
- Colusa
- Maxwell*
- Williams
Del Norte County
- Crescent City
- Fort Dicks*
- Klamath*
- Del Norte County*
Glenn County
- Hamilton City*
- Orland
- Willows
Humboldt County
- Alder Point*
- Arcata
- Blue Lake
- Carlotta*
- Eureka
- Ferndale
- Fieldbrook*
- Hydesville*
- Fortuna
- Garberville*
- Hoopa*
- Humboldt County*
- McKinleyville*
- Miranda
- Orick*
- Redway*
- Rio Dell
- Trinidad
Lake County
- Lakeport
Lassen County
- Susanville
Modoc County
- Adin*
- Alturas
Monterey County
- Gonzales
- Greenfield
- King City
- Marina
- Salinas
- Seaside
- Soledad
Placer County
- Lincoln
- Rocklin
- Roseville
Sacramento County
- Citrus Heights
- Elk Grove
- Elverta*
- Folsom
- Galt
- Hood
- Isleton
- Rancho Cordova
- North Highlands*
- Carmichael*
- Fair Oaks*
- Antelope*
- Rio Linda*
- Sacramento
- Sacramento County*
- Walnut Grove*
San Benito County
- Hollister
- San Juan Bautista
- San Benito County*
San Mateo County
- Pacifica
- San Bruno
Santa Clara County
- Gilroy
Santa Cruz County
- Watsonville
Siskiyou County
- Dorris
- Dunsmuir
- Fort Jones
- McCloud*
- Mount Shasta
- Siskiyou County*
- Tulelake
- Weed
- Montague
Solano County
- Dixon
- Rio Vista
- Suisun City
Sonoma County
- Cloverdale
Sutter County
- East Nicholaus*
- Live Oak
- Sutter*
- Sutter County*
- Yuba City
Tehama County
- Corning
- Gerber*
- Los Molinos*
- Proberta*
- Red Bluff
- Tehama County*
Yolo County
- Esparto*
- Knights Landing*
- Madison*
- West Sacramento
- Willow Oak*
- Winters
- Woodland
- Yolo County*
Yuba County
- Linda*
- Marysville
- Olivehurst*
- Plumas Lake
- Wheatland
- Yuba County*
Fresno County
- Clovis
- Coalinga
- Easton*
- Firebaugh
- Fowler
- Fresno
- Fresno County*
- Huron
- Kerman
- Kingsburg
- Laton*
- Mendota
- Orange Cove
- Parlier
- Reedley
- Riverdale*
- Sanger
- San Joaquin
- Selma
Inyo County
- Big Pine*
- Bishop
- Independence*
- Lone Pine*
- Inyo County*
Kern County
- Arvin
- Bakersfield
- California City
- Delano
- Kern County*
- Lamont*
- Maricopa
- McFarland
- Mojave*
- Oildale*
- Ridgecrest
- Rosamond*
- Shafter
- Taft
- Wasco
Kings County
- Armona*
- Avenal
- Corcoran
- Kings County*
- Hanford
- Kettleman City*
- Lemoore
- Stratford*
Madera County
- Chowchilla
- Madera
- Madera County*
Merced County
- Atwater
- Dos Palos
- Gustine
- Merced
- Merced County
- Livingston
- Los Banos
Mono County
- Bridgeport*
- Mono County*
San Joaquin County
- Lodi
- Ripon
- Tracy
- Vernalis*
- Escalon
- Manteca
- Lathrop
- Stockton
San Luis Obispo County
- Arroyo Grande
- Grover Beach
- Oceano*
- San Miguel*
- Templeton*
Santa Barbara County
- Guadalupe
- Lompoc
- Santa Maria
Stanislaus County
- Ceres
- Crows Landing
- Denair*
- Empire*
- Hughson
- Keyes*
- Modesto
- Newman
- Oakdale
- Patterson
- Riverbank
- Salida*
- Stanislaus County*
- Turlock
- Waterford
- Westley*
Tulare County
- Dinuba
- Earlimart*
- Exeter
- Farmersville
- Goshen*
- Lindsay
- Pixley*
- Porterville
- Strathmore*
- Terra Bella*
- Tulare
- Tulare County*
- Visalia
- Woodlake
- Orosi*
- Ivanhoe*
Imperial County
- Brawley
- Calexico
- Calipatria
- El Centro
- Holtville
- Imperial
- Westmorland
Los Angeles County
- Alhambra
- Artesia
- Azusa
- Baldwin Park
- Bellflower
- Commerce
- Compton
- Cudahy
- Downey
- El Monte
- Gardena
- Hawaiian Gardens
- Hawthorne
- Huntington Park
- Industry
- Irwindale
- La Mirada
- La Puente
- Lakewood
- Lawndale
- Lynwood
- Maywood
- Montebello
- Monterey Park
- Norwalk
- Palmdale
- Paramount
- Pico Rivera
- Rosemead
- Santa Fe Springs
- South El Monte
- South Gate
- Temple City
- Vernon
Orange County
- Anaheim
- Buena Park
- Costa Mesa
- Fullerton
- Garden Grove
- Huntington Beach
- Los Alamitos
- Orange
- Santa Ana
- Stanton
- Villa Park
- Westminster
Riverside County
- Blythe
- Coachella
- Desert Hot Springs
- Indio
San Bernardino County
- Adelanto
- Barstow
- Chino
- Colton
- Fontana
- Grand Terrace
- Needles
- Rialto
- San Bernardino
Ventura County
- Fillmore
Download our 4th of July fireworks safety guide
Access our tailored tips for a safe and enjoyable 4th of July celebration. Prevent wildfire risks while enjoying the festivities with peace of mind.
