Officials Spray Fire Retardant Along Arroyo Seco as Fireworks Calls Spike by 700 percent

Pasadena Interim Fire Chief Bryan Fieders, center, discusses the dangers of illegal fireworks taking place on 4th of July during Pasadena's annual Fourth of July public safety message at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Firefighters prepare for the application of Phos-Chek around the Arroyo at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez takes part in a press conference about illegal fireworks taking place on 4th of July during Pasadena's annual 4th of July public safety message at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Police Chief John Perez and Pasadena Interim Fire Chief Bryan Fieders during the Pasadena's 4th of July public safety message, followed by the Pasadena Fire Departments application of Phos-Chek around the Arroyo at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, a Public Health Director, gives an up-date on the Covid-19 pandemic during the Pasadena's 4th of July public safety message at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena Police Corporal Cristian Allen translates in Spanish Pasadena's 4th of July public safety message, at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Pasadena's Public Information Officer Lisa Derderian, left, and Pasadena Interim Fire Chief Bryan Fieders during Pasadena's annual 4th of July public safety message at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

"No Fireworks in Pasadena" a sign posted on Pasadena's fire trucks during the Pasadena's Fourth of July public safety message at the Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Firefighters apply Phos-Chek around the Arroyo at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Firefighters prepare for the application of Phos-Chek around the Arroyo at the Southwest corner of Pasadena's Rose Bowl on Wednesday, July 1, 2020. (Photo by James Carbone)

Officials set out to douse Pasadena’s high fire danger areas with Phos-chek Wednesday as police and fire officials warned of a seven-fold increase in calls regarding illegal fireworks use in the city.

The traditional AmericaFest Independence Day fireworks show at the Rose Bowl has been cancelled this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But illegal fireworks use has rocketed to unprecedented levels, Pasadena Police Chief John Perez said.

“We are absolutely seeing an increase across this country in the use of fireworks, and not just regular fireworks. We are seeing an increase in dangerous fireworks… the M-80s,” he said.

Perez warned that both police officers and firefighters were on the lookout for fireworks.

“We will be enforcing our ordinance,” he said. “The ordinance has up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.”

Should things get out of hand, additional charges such as arson or endangering children are possible, the chief added.

Property owners may be cited for allowing fireworks to be used on their properties, and citations can be issued even if the fireworks have already been ignited before officials arrive, Perez said. Authorities have issued 20 fireworks citations and seized almost 300 pounds of celebratory explosives so far this year.

“It’s going to be important for all of us to take care of one another, to be one community, to ensure that we know what the laws are, and we know what we should be doing as community members,” Perez said.

In another Pasadena tradition, firefighters set out to spray the fire-retardant chemical Phos-chek around the Arroyo Seco and other areas of high fire concern.

“It’s that bread red substance that comes out of airplanes during wildland fires,” he explained. “It is an environmentally-, pet-friendly substance that we spray on some of our wildland brush areas to try to prevent the ignition from fireworks or other ambers that may ignite it.”

“Now some of us will say, ‘Wait a minute. The Rose Bowl isn’t having their traditional fireworks celebration.’” Frieders said. “As the chief alluded to, there’s been a 700 percent increase in calls for service for fireworks. We know that they exist just because the 4th of July isn’t happening at the Rose bowl doesn’t mean that fireworks aren’t a threat to our community. And that’s why we continue to move forward.”

Fire equipment will be a common sight in the city over the next few days, officials said.

“You’ll see water tenders, you’ll see patrols, you’ll see fire trucks, you’ll see firefighters along with our law enforcement and health partners,” Frieders said. Their goal is “to try to minimize the exposure, not only to COVID-19, but also these catastrophic wildfires. For the past several years, we’ve seen the effects of wildfires in communities. We’ve seen the devastation. We’ve seen the death. This press conference today is all about preventing that.”

He also reminded homeowners that proper vegetation clearance can make all the difference should a fire break out nearby.

In addition to fireworks, this year’s Independence Day weekend presents another danger: the novel coronavirus.

With a “dramatic increase” in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations throughout Pasadena, L.A. County and California, “We are seriously concerned that unless there is an immediate change in the way people are conducting business and socializing, local hospitals will be overwhelmed in the coming weeks,” Pasadena Director of Public Health Dr. Ying-Ying Gho said.

“Our data show that the increase in Pasadena cases is largely due to individuals and families venturing out with other households, having social gatherings or not being able, for various reasons, to maintain quarantine or isolation requirements,” she said.

Many people appear to think that since businesses have begun reopening with health protocols in place, there is no longer a need to stay at home, according to the health director. “This is not the case. COVID-19 is still here, and the risk to all of us is real. Stay home, except for essential needs, and follow public health protocols.”

“This weekend, to celebrate the 4th of July holiday, we are asking that you make the best choice for your health and the health of those around you,” Gho said. “Please do not attend parties or gatherings with your families or family or friends, and do not get together with anyone who does not live in your house.”