The City of Palmdale is reminding residents that there are hefty fines for individuals caught using illegal fireworks within city limits.
“Illegal fireworks are not allowed anywhere in Palmdale or in the Los Angeles County portion of the Antelope Valley,” said Palmdale Mayor Steve Hofbauer. “These are the type that explode or shoot up in the air and they are dangerous and cause a real threat to life and property. If people are caught using illegal fireworks in Palmdale, they will be facing a $2,500 fine for a first offense, $5,000 for a second offense and $10,000 for a third offense.”
The use of illegal fireworks may be reported by calling the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station at (661) 272-2400, emailing publicsafety@cityofpalmdale.com, reporting them online 24/7 at www.cityofpalmdale.org/reportfireworks.
Safe and Sane fireworks, the kind that do not shoot up into the air or cause exploding sounds, are on sale in the City of Palmdale through noon on Sunday, July 5. The Palmdale City Council approved issuing permits for 39 nonprofit organizations to sell Safe and Sane fireworks at its June 2 meeting. Only nonprofit organizations that have headquarters in Palmdale or have more than 50 percent of their membership residing in Palmdale and have a minimum of 20 members are eligible to apply for fireworks booths. Only one booth is allowed per organization.
The number of booths allowed is calculated at one booth per every 3,000 residents. Based upon current population estimates, a maximum of 52 booths would be allowed to be established in the year 2020, of which 39 have been filled by qualifying organizations.
Organization booths must pass an inspection by the Los Angeles County Fire Department before the Public Safety Division will issue the fireworks permit. Fireworks may be purchased by those who are age 16 and above in the City of Palmdale. Proof of age may be requested for purchase.
“Safe and Sane” fireworks may only be used through noon on July 5th. The use of “Safe and Sane” fireworks outside of this time frame is considered illegal and subject to fines. City officials are reminding residents to only use fireworks where legal and safe. Educational materials and “No Fireworks Zone” maps will be available at each booth.
The City of Palmdale is the only municipality in the Antelope Valley in which “Safe and Sane” fireworks may be legally sold and discharged on private property. However, the housing community Anaverde, all areas south of the California Aqueduct, and locations in the Rancho Vista area are “no fireworks zones” and may not use any fireworks at all since they are in high risk fire areas.
The “no fireworks zone” is generally described as the area within the City of Palmdale which lies along the following lines: beginning at the intersection of Rancho Vista Boulevard and 30th Street West, areas south and west of Rancho Vista Boulevard, north to Avenue N-8; south and west of Avenue N-8 from Rancho Vista Boulevard to 55th Street West; west of 55th Street West; and south from 55th Street West to 60th Street West (Godde Hill Road).
“Our Web site, www.cityofpalmdale.org, has an interactive map that allows residents to enter their address so they can see if they live in the ‘No Fireworks Zone’ where ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks are not allowed,” Hofbauer said.
For more information, call the Palmdale Office of Public Safety (661) 267-5170.
