Fire officials worried about Fourth

Deepa Bharath

COSTA MESA -- The annual tradition of residents lighting their streets

with fireworks on Fourth of July has the Fire Department more concerned

about the safety of the community than in previous years.

The reason? The threat of brush fires caused by a record drought

season that is already terrorizing several parts of the country, said

Costa Mesa Fire Capt. Randy Croll.

“We’re already apprehensive about the upcoming summer season,” he

said. “And the risk is greater in our city because we allow fireworks

this time of the year.”

Costa Mesa is one of a handful of cities in Orange County that has

allowed what are known as “safe and sane” fireworks for the last several

years. These do not include explosive fireworks, such as bottle rockets

or cherry bombs, or even sparklers, which are commonly considered to be a

mild form of Fourth of July entertainment.

The fear of fireworks sparking off a major fire is exacerbated by a

record number of fireworks stands that have set up shop this year, Croll

said.

That is not necessarily a bad thing -- because several local charities

and nonprofit organizations benefit from the sale of firecrackers -- but

it also means more people are buying them, he said.

“This year, I believe we have more than 60 stands,” Croll said.

“Usually we have about 50.”

The key to staying safe and having a good time is to follow some

“general rules and use common sense,” he said.

“First of all, people need to be responsible and make sure they’re

using the ‘safe and sane’ fireworks,” Croll said.

People coming from other cities that do not allow fireworks and using

Costa Mesa parks to light them has also been a prevalent and dangerous

problem in the past, he added.

“We’ve particularly experienced that problem in Victoria Park,” he

said. “We encourage anybody who spots such suspicious activity to call

the police at once.”

On the other hand, Costa Mesa has been fortunate enough not to have

major fires or incidents as a result of fireworks, Croll said.

“Last year, we had two reported injuries that were minor and one

structural fire with a $5,000 loss,” he said. “We’ve had very few

incidents or injuries over the last several years, and we’d like to keep

it that way this year too.”

FIREWORKS SAFETY TIPS:

* Use fireworks outdoors and away from homes and flammable materials.

* Light one at a time

* Always point it away from anybody who is watching or standing close

by.

* Have a bucket of water handy

* Do not let young children handle fireworks. Anyone younger than 18

should be supervised and adults should light the fireworks, not children

or minors.

* Keep fireworks preferably in metal containers. Never carry them

around or keep them in your pocket.

For more information on fireworks safety, visit the Fire Department’s

Web site, www.ci.costa-mesa.ca.us/docs/fire-firework.pdf.

* Deepa Bharath covers public safety and courts. She may be reached at

(949) 574-4226 or by e-mail at o7 deepa.bharath@latimes.comf7 .