If You Shoot Off Fireworks In Riverside County, It Could Make Your Wallet Go Boom!

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Fireworks are illegal in Riverside County. On Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors is slated to approve a $100,000 contract with a media marketing firm to conduct a public awareness campaign emphasizing the penalties for shooting them off on the 4th of July, or at any other time.

The Executive Office was expected to sign an agreement with the Orange County-based 3 Olives Media LLC, which will handle social media, traditional media, and other messaging focused on fireworks education outreach.

The compact would be in effect until Aug. 31. The same media company was retained for fireworks safety campaigns in 2023 and 2024.

Knowledge is power, and information is key when it comes to alerting residents of both the danger of fireworks and the penalties for igniting them over the community without proper permits.

"A robust public information campaign regarding the use of illegal fireworks and enforcement programs will enhance the safety of our communities by lessening associated risks," according to an Executive Office statement.

In April 2021, the Office of County Counsel, in collaboration with the Sheriff's Department and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department, drafted new amendments to long-standing regulations codified under county Ordinance No. 858 prohibiting illegal pyrotechnics.

If you shoot off fireworks, be prepared ot pay handily if you are caught holding the match, or are outed later as the culprit.

This ordinance shows higher civil penalties are in place, ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 per instance. The amount depends on the number of violations within 36 36-month time period, according to the ordinance, a significant raise from previous fines of between $500 and $1,000.

The same goes for property owners who allow fireworks to be ignited from their residence.

Revisions to the ordinance include increased liability for home and business owners who knowingly allow anyone on their property to light illegal fireworks, further increasing penalties levied against them.

Riverside County residents can expect to see signs of this anti-fireworks campaign on roadside and digital billboards, newspaper ads, satellite radio ads, as well as conventional radio stations and social media advertisements.

Riverside County Officers from the Department of Code Enforcement, along with sheriff's deputies and Cal Fire/Riverside County law enforcement officers, will all be allowed issue citations and make arrests during this enforcement period.

Illegal fireworks can be reported via www.riversidesheriff.org , or at 800-950-2444.