Emergency responders and medical personnel remind the public that fireworks, even safe and sane, are illegal. People who are found in possession of fireworks are subject to arrest that could lead to up to six months in jail and fines up to $1,000. Emergency responders continue to see an increase in calls regarding the use of fireworks across Los Angeles County.

“Recent data shows more than 9,100 people within the United States were treated in hospital emergency rooms due to fireworks-related injuries. Last year, in Los Angeles County alone, the activity [we saw] between June 17 and July 17 [was] 76 fires sparked by fireworks. This was an increase of 46% from the prior year [2018],”said David Richardson, LA County Fire chief deputy of Emergency Operations. “In the past few weeks, leading up to the Fourth of July, [LA County Fire Dept. – LACoFD] has already responded to a number of incidents related to fireworks here in Santa Clarita Valley. We [also] had one fire in the Division Three area in La Cañada Flintridge and one [fire] is under investigation in Hacienda Heights. Don’t be misled by the ‘safe and sane fireworks’; they can cause injuries especially to children. Small fireworks that seem harmless, like sparklers, will burn at least at 2,000 degrees Farenheit and can cause serious burns and even blindness.”

He added this weekend will see high temperatures, which adds to the risk of brush fires.

“There is an abundance of fire fuels and grasses that are ready to burn,” he added.

U.S. Forest Service personnel are also concerned about the threat to the forest due to fireworks. There has been increased fireworks activity in the Angeles National Forest.

It is advised to virtually view professional celebrations of fireworks this year. Although the majority of professional fireworks shows have been canceled there are still a few that are scheduled. Below is information on Fourth of July events:

The City of Los Alamitos to Hold Professional Fireworks Show

The City of Los Alamitos and the City of Seal Beach invites everyone to attend the Drive-Up 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular held at the Los Alamitos Joint Forces Training Base. The event will entail a drive-up and view format of the fireworks show that will begin approximately at 9 p.m. Please be patient entering the Base at either the Lexington Gate (Lexington and Katella) or Orangewood Gate (Orangewood and Los Al Blvd) as a high volume of vehicles are expected to arrive and a check-in procedure will be in place. The check-in procedure will include an ID check, temperature check and health screenings for all individuals inside each vehicle.

Gates will open at 7:15 p.m. for vehicle entrance only. No pedestrians and bicycles will be allowed onto the installation. Please follow exact instructions from parking attendants as they will direct vehicles where to park. When parked, viewers are instructed to stay inside their vehicle and not walk around the event area with the exception of walking to and from the portable restrooms. All adults and minors must wear a face covering and practice social distancing at all times.

No food will be available for purchase at the event and no alcohol is permitted. During the duration of the fireworks show, it is encouraged that viewers stay inside their vehicle or directly in front of their vehicle to view the show. For the safety of families, ensure that children are accounted for and the entire party is in the vehicle once the show is complete. Please be patient upon entry and exiting of the event as a large number of vehicles will be arriving and leaving at the same time. Suggested time of arrival is at least one hour prior to the start of the fireworks display. We want everyone to be safe and enjoy the fireworks show and we appreciate your cooperation to make this event as safe as possible.

Rose Bowl Americafest Goes Virtual

4th Of July Celebration. Americafest at the Rose Bowl Stadium is a large patriotic celebration of all things red, white and blue. AmericaFest welcomes tens of thousands for a day full of tailgating, celebration, and entertainment including a motorcycle stunt show and a world-renowned fireworks display. This year, Americafest will be hosted virtually.

Programming. Focused around legacy and community-building, the one-hour virtual event will feature celebrations of our United States veterans and military personnel, messages from our community thanking first responders, frontline workers and their personal heroes for their work during COVID-19, as well as a salute to America with a message for why we celebrate the 4th of July. At the culmination of the online-based event, there will be a flyover of Pasadena and its most historic landmarks.

Virtual concert featuring Andy Grammer and more. The virtual event will include an incredible lineup of songs performed by platinum award-winning artist, Andy Grammer. Additionally, there will be music from cello artist, Cecilia Tsan, who will be performing live two solos from the 100-inch telescope dome on top of Mt. Wilson in honor of our United States Fallen Heroes and the first responders and frontline workers for their admirable work and courage during COVID-19.

Art and light show. Mt. Wilson has been testing a special art installation called “Sunstar,” created and owned by artist Liliane Lijn and astrophysicist John Vallerga. The prism will be moving throughout the day to shine a bit of pure color from the sun over Pasadena for residents to enjoy throughout the virtual 4th of July event.

Register & participate. To register for this free event and/or to submit a video thanking local heroes, please visit www.RoseBowlLive.tv. Videos must be no longer than 15 seconds and filmed in landscape mode (horizontal). 

Additional information. For more information on the 94th Virtual AmericaFest celebration, visit www.rosebowlstadium.com.

Grand Park “Home Edition”

Grand Park will be holding its celebration virtually. People can view it from 7 p.m. to 8 pm. on KABC Channel 7 and from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m. at Grand Park’s YouTube Channel.

Victorville

The City of Victorville will host the annual 4th of July Fireworks show on Saturday, July 4.

Per state guidelines, large-crowd events such as festivals, concerts and live sporting events are still yet to reopen due to their higher-risk of potential COVID-19 spread. Those events will hopefully resume later this summer.

In order to balance the tradition of pyrotechnics with the safety protocols of the pandemic, the fireworks will be staged at the Victorville Fairgrounds, which will be gated and locked to prevent onsite viewing. Residents will be encouraged to view the show from their homes.

Should spectators choose to see the show closer, they will be encouraged to view from the safety of their vehicle in an open space area. Spectators are urged to obey all traffic laws and to refrain from parking on private property.

The 21-minute firework spectacular is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. with patriotic music simulcast on 100.7 KATJ radio station.

As a reminder, fireworks are prohibited in Victorville and subject to a $1,000 fine.

For more information, call Hook Community Center at (760) 245-5551 or check out their website.

Apple Valley

In response to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, for the health and safety of our community, the Town of Apple Valley has canceled this year’s Sunset Concert Series and Freedom Festival. Despite the cancelation, the fireworks show will still go on.

In order to balance the tradition of pyrotechnics with the safety protocols of the pandemic, the fireworks will be staged at Brewster Park, which will be gated and locked to prevent on-site viewing. Residents will be encouraged to view the show from their homes. 

Should spectators choose to see the show closer, they will be encouraged to view from the safety of their vehicle in an open space area. Spectators are urged to obey all traffic laws and to refrain from parking on private property. 

The 18-minute firework spectacular is scheduled to begin at 9 p.m. with patriotic music simulcast on 106.5 The Fox radio station. 

Palms

It’s time to let freedom ring! In keeping with their tradition of hosting the 4th of July fireworks every other year, MCCS Twentynine Palms is pleased to be presenting a special fireworks display in honor of Independence Day.

In response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, and with the health and safety of the community in mind, MCCS Twentynine Palms will be presenting an “extra high” fireworks display that will launch aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, making the spectacular show visible throughout the City of Twentynine Palms for the desert community and its visitors to enjoy from the comfort and safety of their home.

The fireworks will start at 9 p.m. on Saturday, July 4 and will last approximately 20 minutes. Please be advised that these fireworks are to be enjoyed from the comfort of your home, and that base access will not be granted to unauthorized patrons.

For more info check out: MCCS 29 Palms

Temecula

Don’t forget to tune in at 7 p.m. for a performance by the Mighty Untouchables. The concert will be available on our Facebook page @TemeculaParksAndRec. Following the concert, a pre-recorded fireworks display will be shown on Facebook beginning at 9 p.m.