Crescenta Valley officials reemphasize area’s ban on fireworks

The Crescenta Valley Sheriff’s Station is warning that fireworks are illegal in the hands of citizens and should be left to professionals putting together Fourth of July displays.

Ahead of the Friday holiday, authorities are reminding residents that the city of La Cañada Flintridge has a ban on all fireworks as do La Crescenta and all other parts of unincorporated Los Angeles County.

“Fireworks can turn an outstanding celebration into a painful memory when children or adults are injured,” said Sgt. Burton Brink of the local sheriff’s station.

Los Angeles County firefighters respond to fires ignited by illegal fireworks in the Crescenta Valley area, he added.

“Although legal consumer fireworks can be purchased relatively close to the Crescenta Valley area, all fireworks are hazardous and can cause injury and present a significant threat of fire danger, especially facing one of the most severe droughts on record,” Brink said.

There’s a $2,500 first offense fine if someone is caught with fireworks, he said. That jumps to $5,000 to a second offense and $10,000 for a third offense.

“This year the terrain is especially dry due to drought conditions,” Brink said. “Please help us protect your family, home and neighborhood by participating in the public fireworks shows and reporting the use of private fireworks.”

Local public displays will be offered Friday at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena and at the Crescenta Valley Fireworks Show, which is held on the playground at La Crescenta Elementary School.

Aside from potentially bodily harm, fireworks can also frighten pets.

The Pasadena Humane Society says cats and dogs should not be taken to watch fireworks as the loud explosive sounds can scare them and cause them to run away.

Owners are urged to keep their pets indoors and consider playing a radio to help diffuse the loud noise of fireworks, according to a statement.

If pets run away, it’s recommended owners search the kennels of the shelter closest to their home. The humane society updates its log of lost pets that are brought in on an hourly basis at pasadenahumane.org.

The humane society will have additional animal control officers on duty on the evening of July 4 and will open at 8 a.m. on Saturday to help reunite pets with their families. The Pasadena Humane Society is located at 361 S. Raymond Ave., Pasadena.

In nearby Glendale, police are cautioning Independence Day revelers to celebrate responsibly as officers will be on the lookout for drunk drivers.

The Glendale Police Department will carry out a roving DUI patrol on Thursday evening and conduct a sobriety checkpoint on Saturday night at an undisclosed location within the city.

In 2012, 78 people were killed across the country in DUI crashes on the Fourth of July, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Follow Arin Mikailian on Twitter @ArinMikailian

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