Bay Area Urged To Avoid Personal Fireworks This July 4

SAN FRANCISCO BAY AREA — Bay Area residents are being urged to leave Fourth of July fireworks to the pros this year.

The Bay Area Air Quality Management District issued an advisory ahead of the holiday urging residents to avoid setting personal fireworks – even the so-called “safe and sane” ones.

The agency cited wildfires and pollution as its chief concerns over personal fireworks that are sold in some Bay Area cities.

Smoke from exploding fireworks causes elevated levels of particulate matter near the ground that makes it harder to breathe for everyone and poses a health risk for people with respiratory illnesses among other health conditions, children and the elderly, the agency said.

“We encourage Bay Area residents to have a safe and healthy holiday by attending official fireworks displays, in lieu of using personal fireworks, this Fourth of July weekend,” interim BAAQMD Executive Director Sharon Landers said in a statement.

“Personal fireworks not only increase wildfire risk during extreme drought conditions, but also create an unhealthy breathing environment in the surrounding neighborhoods.”

The Bay Area typically exceeds federal air quality standards on the evening on July 4 and the morning of July 5, the agency said, citing neighborhood fireworks.

Safe and sane fireworks, such as those purchased at pop-up fireworks stands, contain metal salts used to produce colors that also cause excessive smoke.

“Increased air pollution from fireworks impacts people and pets,” the agency said in a statement.

“Fireworks also have the potential to increase the risk of brush fires, wildfires or house fires that cause damage and further smoke impacts.”