Fire Officials Reflect On An Explosive July 4

Pasadena fire officials Wednesday detailed their response earlier this month to an unprecedented level of illegal fireworks use over the Independence Day weekend.

Pasadena Interim Fire Chief Bryan Frieders discussed successes, challenges and lessons to be employed in the future in a Fireworks Mitigation Report delivered to the City Council’s Public Safety Committee.

“Curbing illegal fireworks use and enforcement remains challenging due to pervasive use of fireworks by the public,” according to the report.

Authorities seized 427 pounds of fireworks this year, comprised of 9 pounds of “safe and sane” fireworks,” which are illegal in Pasadena, and 418 pounds of “dangerous” fireworks, according to Frieders’ report. Officials collected 122 pounds of fireworks on July 4 alone.

In 2019, officials confiscated a total of 107 pounds of fireworks.

In the days leading up to July 4, police reported calls for service involving fireworks, which are completely banned in Pasadena, had skyrocketed by 700 percent.

On July 4 alone, police responded to about 400 fireworks-related calls alone, officials said. Police handled 257 calls for service on July 4, 2019.

Authorities speculated the increase in fireworks use may have been related to boredom brought on by COVID-19 stay at-home orders, as well as the cancellation of the traditional AmericaFest fireworks display at the Rose Bowl due to the pandemic.

Fire and police officials handed out 65 fireworks-related citations on and leading up to Independence Day, Frieders said. Last year, 61 citations were issued.

In addition to citing those caught setting off fireworks, city law allows for property owners to be cited for allowing fireworks to be used on their properties.

“The ordinance holding property owners and tenants responsible for illegal activity continues to be a useful tool for enforcement officers in gaining compliance,” Frieders said.

No injuries were reported in the city as a result of fireworks, according to the report. But two fires were blamed on fireworks.

A fire gutted a residential garage at Buckeye Street and El Molino Avenue early on July 3, according to city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian. A man and his 13-year-old son were cited for illegally starting a fire.

Fireworks were also blamed for a small vegetation fire that firefighters quickly extinguished, she said.

As part of this year’s mitigation efforts, “A two person patrol was instituted to patrol the urban interface areas of the City to look for illegal firework activity between the hours of 12:00pm – 12:00am June 23 – July 5,” according to Frieders’ report. “Fire engines patrolled their districts nightly to enhance the public safety presence and report illegal firework activity.”

Officials also ran a publicity campaign ahead of the holiday to discourage fireworks use and sprayed fire-retardant around the Arroyo as a precaution.

Frieders said the police and fire department hoped to learn from this year and improve their strategy next year.

“Police and Fire collaboration will continue, but alternative methods of enforcement will be discussed for 2021,” he said.