LAKE COUNTY — Fire departments throughout the county are preparing for Fourth of July weekend during an early fire season. When asked what parts of Lake County constitute a high-fire danger zone, Lakeshore Fire District Battalion Chief Charlie Diener responded, “Lake County.” The entire county is extremely dry and fire-prone, making the Fourth of July weekend one when people should be especially aware, according to Diener.
Lake County has already experienced numerous fires during what officials say is one of the driest seasons yet an added danger that makes setting off fireworks in the county something the fire departments dread.
Fireworks are illegal county-wide, Diener said, with the exception of Lakeport, where fireworks went on sale this last week and end their sales at 9 p.m. July 4. Each of the Fire Protection Districts in the county will be in full force during the weekend to ensure people follow the ban.
“If it”s an obvious violation, and people are setting off fireworks, we don”t mess around with warnings, we give them a fine,” said Diener. For the most part, people are aware of the ban, and most of the violations come from people setting off illegal fireworks such as firecrackers and bottle rockets that are not part of the “Safe and Sane” fireworks sales. The Lakeshore Fire District averages about two fires per Fourth of July as a result of these illegal fireworks being set off, according to Diener.
The state-sanctioned fireworks are sold and legal only in Lakeport, a ban has been in place in all other cities in the county since the 1980”s, but fire department officials say there is always a problem making sure people abide by the bans. In response, they are gearing up patrols and will be in full force for the weekend.
The ban was established in response to an out-of-control situation that recurred year after year, when widespread firework use started dozens of fires, according to Diener. “It just got ridiculous, people weren”t being as cautious as they should have been. Now the biggest problem are the fireworks that are illegal in California that people bring here from out of state, there”s always someone setting them off,” said Diener.
Diener recommended that people be extra cautious, not only this weekend, but all summer. “They need to be aware of dry grass, watch their barbecues and have a garden hose nearby if you have one, and never leave camp fires unattended,” said Diener.
The county-wide fireworks ban was achieved despite grumblings from citizens who love having their own displays, as well as local agencies who earn money by selling fireworks. The sales are difficult to suppress because usually they go to a good cause, and in many North Bay counties have a powerful lobby with the fireworks industry against the outright ban of sales or use. In Lake County, the majority of sales support non-profit agencies and numerous youth sports leagues.
Lakeport Fire District Chief Ken Wells said that within Lakeport, warnings are more likely to occur than citations. “We”re kinder and gentler here, as long as it”s within the city limits, outside the city limits it”s a different story.” Wells said that in Lakeport, there are probably half a dozen fireworks-related fires per Fourth of July.
Wells said that for people who would like to have their own displays in Lakeport, the fireworks must be classified as “Safe and Sane,” and can be used starting at noon June 28 until midnight on July 4, only in designated areas. The designated areas are next to Library Park between 2nd and Park Street, on any private property within the city limits with the owner”s permission, residential streets, and are prohibited in grassland.
