Authorities in Los Angeles County, in a significant crackdown on illegal fireworks, have seized over 100,000 pounds of fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July, raising awareness about the dangers and legal repercussions associated with the use and sale of unauthorized pyrotechnics. The seizure occurred at a business in Commerce, where officials from Cal Fire's Office of the State Fire Marshal responded to reports indicating the establishment, a licensed fireworks importer and exporter, was not in compliance with the laws and regulations tied to its license, as reported by KTLA.
Specific details regarding the investigation weren't immediately available. However, the backdrop of a recent heatwave and the looming holiday celebrations underscore the risks posed by such fireworks. According to CBS News Los Angeles, Deputy Fire Marshal Kara Garrett stressed that the selling, use, or transport in California of fireworks without the "safe and sane" seal is illegal, with penalties that could lead to a $50,000 fine and one year in jail. The fireworks in question included sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, and firecrackers, among others.
Images of the bust, shared by Cal Fire, showed a warehouse-style location filled with towering stacks of wooden pallets laden with boxes of the illegal products. Cal Fire revealed that over $4 million worth of property damage and loss has been caused by fireworks-related incidents since January of this year. California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant, in a statement obtained by FOX LA, highlighted the state's zero-tolerance policy, saying, "As we approach the 4th of July and a typical increase in usage of illegal fireworks, this seizure should be a reminder of our zero tolerance to illegal fireworks in California."
Authorities utilized approximately a dozen trucks to move the confiscated fireworks to a secured storage facility, as noted in the statement by Deputy Fire Marshal Garrett. Meanwhile, the exact location of the seizure and any arrests made in connection with the bust have yet to be disclosed. The operation was conducted with the collaboration of various agencies, including @CAL_FIRE, the Los Angeles County Fire Department, and the ATF Task Force. Those with information regarding this case are encouraged to contact Cal Fire's Arson and Bomb Unit at [email protected].
Major Fireworks Seizure in Los Angeles County 🚨
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) May 21, 2025
Today, CAL FIRE - Office of the State Fire Marshal (OSFM) seized over 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks in Commerce, CA, as part of an ongoing investigation into a licensed importer/exporter suspected of violating state laws. The… pic.twitter.com/qaUXj9uVp3
