East Bay lowers boom on July 4th fireworks

By Ben Aguirre Jr

More people may be staying home this year to celebrate the Independence Day weekend because of the slumping economy, but if they use fireworks, they could face a $1,000 fine or even jail time, unless they live in one of five Bay Area cities.

Fireworks of all types — even the state-approved "safe and sane" ones that soon will be on sale — are illegal in most of Alameda and San Joaquin counties, and have they been banned throughout Contra Costa County.

In Alameda County, "safe and sane" fireworks may be sold and used under certain conditions in Newark, Union City and Dublin.

Booths sprouted up in all three cities during the last two weeks, and sales are set to begin on Sunday in Newark and Dublin, and on Wednesday in Union City.

Similar type fireworks also are going on sale Saturday in the San Joaquin County cities of Ripon and Manteca.

The state allows the sale of "safe and sane" fireworks, which differ from traditional fireworks in that they do not explode, and they remain on the ground when used properly. It is illegal to modify them.

Approved devices are emblazoned with the seal of the state fire marshal and are sold only through authorized booths.

But most area cities do not allow the sale or usage of even the seemingly less-dangerous fireworks.

Among some of the larger cities taking a stand against the fireworks are Fremont, Oakland, and Hayward. Notes that even though they are state approved, they still are dangerous.

"Those things burn pretty hot, sometimes in excess of 1,000 degrees ... even the sparklers," he said.

"People give them to their kids and think they are handing them something safe, but (the) reality is they can get burned significantly."

Police and firefighters throughout the region have ramped up enforcement efforts for all types of fireworks and will be out before and during the holiday looking for anyone using them.

The penalty for possessing or using fireworks of any kind in cities where they are outlawed range from confiscation of the contraband to citations, or worse.

In Oakland, people possessing certain types of fireworks — particularly the most dangerous types like M80s — may even face jail time, said Deputy Police Chief Dave Kozicki.

Illegal fireworks have been an issue that local agencies deal with every year.

In the past, agencies have found people importing them from other countries, or bringing them in from other states, and selling them online or out of the back of their trucks.

A Union City man was arrested two years ago after police caught him with more than 1,500 pounds of the contraband.

During some investigations, authorities also have uncovered cashes of the illegal products that have been stored in warehouses.

So far this year, there have been no reports of major busts.

While personal safety is a big reason why many of the fireworks are banned, authorities also are being vigilant about the products because they present a fire hazard.

"Especially this time of year in California when everything is so dry," Fogel said.

In cities where "safe and sane" fireworks are legal, strict guidelines have been put into place. Most allow them only in the days leading up to the holiday, and restrict their usage to private property.

"It is illegal to go out to a park and shoot them off," Union City Assistant Fire Chief Andy Smith said.

Public displays of fireworks have been an issue in the past at Marina Park in San Leandro. As a result, authorities will be closing portions of the park early to discourage the use of fireworks

Staff writers Harry Harris, Mike Martinez, Sophia Kazmi, Karen Holzmeister, Lanz Christian Banez, Hillary Costa, and Kristin Bender contributed to this story. Ben Aguirre Jr. can be reached at 510-353-70

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