Festive Firm Gets Bucks for Its Bang : Fireworks: Pyro Spectaculars will supply seven local Fourth of July shows. The industry is booming nationwide.

Life is good this time of year at Pyro Spectaculars, one of the country’s largest fireworks manufacturers.

Here’s how good:

For the second consecutive year, the Rialto-based company landed seven of eight contracts for Fourth of July celebrations in Ventura County. Only Ojai opted to buy its fireworks from another company.

The company will be paid a combined $100,000 for the 2,000 shells that will explode over the county from Ventura to Simi Valley this year.

“It is worse than crazy around here,” said Jean Starr, the saleswoman who handles Ventura County. “I want to pull my hair out and rip the phones out of the wall.”

And it just gets busier each year.

“The business is growing and improving,” said pyrotechnician Russ Borne, by day a Canoga Park carpenter. “I have done everything from baseball games to weddings.”

This year, Borne is in charge of the fireworks program at Ventura College. He and a crew of about 12 will spread out over two baseball fields to light the nearly 300 shells that will illuminate the Ventura night.

Borne is finding more and more jobs exploding fireworks. He is trying to get his theatrical license so that he can work on stage productions that use the explosives.

“There is a lot of use for fireworks out there,” he said.

According to an industry lobbyist, more than 117 million pounds of fireworks were sold in the United States last year, up 15 million from the previous year and four times the amount sold in 1976.

Those 117 million pounds were worth $300 million, and nearly two-thirds of it was sold through booths like the 23 set up in Fillmore this year, a record. Fillmore is the only community in the county where the explosives can be sold legally.

It is also an industry rife with puns.

“Business is booming,” said Julie Heckman of the American Pyrotechnics Assn. in Maryland. “The consumption of fireworks has just skyrocketed.”

And Starr made her contribution when discussing what she charges for each show--from $7,000 “to, if you’ll excuse the pun, the sky’s the limit.” The company describes itself as the top West Coast fireworks maker, supplying 350 Independence Day shows a year.

Starr is also a licensed pyrotechnician, one of 1,500 in the state. Their industry is rapidly adding jobs to the work force.

The state fire marshal’s office, which issues pyrotechnical licenses, said the number of people who can legally run a major fireworks display in California is nearly double those licensed 20 years ago.

To get a license, an applicant needs to work on eight fireworks displays with a licensed technician, submit to a background check and pass a written test.

“It’s a rush,” Borne said. “Ever since I was a kid, I loved fireworks. For the longest time, I did them illegally. Now I have a license to set off fireworks.”

But not everybody shares his enthusiasm.

Ventura County firefighters responded to 32 fireworks-related fires and injuries last year.

“No firework should be deemed safe and sane,” Fire Chief James Sewell said.

The Humane Society is also gearing up for its busiest night of the year.

“July 4th is a nightmare for many dogs and cats,” said Jolene Hoffman, director of the Ojai Animal Shelter. She said shelter employees will be busy for weeks after the holiday reuniting owners with terrified pets that bolted during the fireworks.

“Many dogs jump fences, dig under walls, go through screen doors and windows because they are scared,” Hoffman said.

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Fourth of July Activities

FILLMORE

Fillmore High School football field, 555 Central Ave. Gates open: 6 p.m. Tuesday, entertainment 7 p.m. Admission: Free What you will see: A mostly aerial exhibition with some ground displays, including image of the American flag. Number of shells in show: 286 Number of shells in finale: 110 Other events: Chili cook-off and car show in Central Park, starting at noon Tuesday Information: 524-0351

MOORPARK

Moorpark High School football field, 4500 Tierra Rejada Road Gates open: 7 p.m. today; entertainment starts shortly afterward Admission: Free What you will see: An aerial display set to patriotic music; American flag will appear overhead. Number of shells in show: 292 Number of shells in finale: NA Other events: Family picnic 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, featuring food booths, at Arroyo Vista Community Park Information: 529-6864

OJAI

Nordhoff High School football field, 1401 Maricopa Highway Gates open: 4:30 p.m. Tuesday Admission: Pre-sale: $4 adults, $2 children and $10 family pass; at the door: $6 adults, $2 children What you will see: Fireworks interspersed with patriotic music. Number of shells in show: 426 Number of shells in finale: 150 Other events: Kids Freedom Run at 8:45 a.m., parade at 10 a.m. Tuesday. Information: 649-2729 or 646-4295

OXNARD

Oxnard High School football field, 937 W. 5th St. Gates open: 6 p.m. Tuesday. No seating after 8:45 p.m. Admission: $5 adults, $2 children What you will see: Mostly a ground display, backed by narration and patriotic music featuring the 50th anniversary of World War II and highlighted by a scene of Marines hoisting the flag on Iwo Jima. Some aerial fireworks are planned. Number of shells in show: 283 Number of shells in finale: 140 Information: 385-7578

SANTA PAULA

George Harding Park, Harvard Boulevard Admission: Free What you will see: Twenty-minute aerial display set to patriotic music Number of shells in show: 426 Number of shells in finale: 150 Other events: Circus Vargas, Teague Park, 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Information: 525-6697

SIMI VALLEY

Simi Valley High School football field, 5400 Cochran St. Gates open: 6 p.m. Tuesday. Entertainment includes sky divers and oldies band. Admission: $6 adults, $3 children What you will see: Mostly a ground display, backed by narration and patriotic music featuring the 50th anniversary of World War II and highlighted by a scene of Marines hoisting the flag on Iwo Jima. Some aerial fireworks are also planned. Number of shells in show: 283 Number of shells in finale: 140 Other events: Concerts, dancing and games for children in the courtyard at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday. At 2 p.m., a U. S. Marine Corps band will perform. Information: 584-4400

THOUSAND OAKS

The Oaks mall, 222 W. Hillcrest Drive Admission: Free What you will see: Biggest show in Ventura County. Aerial show set to music should be visible throughout the Conejo Valley and east county. Number of shells in show: 525 Number of shells in finale: 215 Other events: Nature walk in Wildwood Park at 7 a.m. Tuesday. Pancake breakfast at Borchard Park 8 to 11 a.m. Concert in Conejo Community Park at 5 p.m. Information: 499-4355

VENTURA

Ventura College football field, 4667 Telegraph Road Gates open: 5 p.m. Tuesday. Admission: Adults $8, children $5 (includes food booths, games and concerts) What you will see: Aerial fireworks display set to patriotic music Number of shells in show: 242 Number of shells in finale: 140 Other events: Main Street fair, with more than 400 vendors’ booths and several bands performing downtown throughout the day Tuesday. Information: 648-1346