See Illegal Fireworks? There's A New Hotline For That In Contra Costa County

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A toll-free hotline is available for Contra Costa County residents to immediately reach their local law enforcement non-emergency phone lines to report illegal fireworks use in their areas, the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District announced Wednesday.

The illegal fireworks reporting phone number is 1-833-885-2021. The hotline features a voice menu that allows residents to quickly reach the correct law enforcement number for their location by entering the first three letters of their city’s name. It also allows the selection of "unincorporated area" as their location to connect callers to the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office.

"Use of fireworks of any type is illegal in Contra Costa County and exceedingly dangerous during current heightened fire danger conditions," Con Fire Spokesperson Steve Miller said. "Con Fire urges anyone observing fireworks being used to report this to their local law enforcement non-emergency line by calling 1-833-885-2021."

Con Fire’s Fire Investigation Unit also asks residents to help fight the use of illegal fireworks by reporting fireworks sales across the county to the Arson Tip Line. At 1-866-50-ARSON, residents can leave a recorded message about fireworks sales, or any fire-related criminal activity, in English or Spanish. Tips can be anonymous but all tips are treated confidentially, Miller said. Fire investigators sometimes need additional information, so the inclusion of names and phone numbers is encouraged, he said.