Make sure fireworks are legal

Fireworks might still be legal in Costa Mesa, but the list of what you can set off is shrinking.

“This year they pulled a lot, including Morning Glories, ground bloom flowers, basically anything hand-held,” said Russ Davis, who sells fireworks for Vanguard University. The state allows the sale of fireworks, but only when local officials agree. Usually the approved vendors are community groups.

All of Davis’ profits go to Vanguard’s women’s basketball team, which he coaches. Sales started off slowly this year, but Davis said he expects to make about 70% of his sales today.

For those wondering what type of fireworks are considered illegal, a sound standard to follow is any explosive that does not bear the seal of approval from the California State Fire Marshall is illegal in Costa Mesa, Sgt. Richard Allum said.

In Costa Mesa and Newport Beach fireworks such as M100s, cherry bombs or bottle rockets are considered explosive devices and possessing those is a felony, authorities said.

Anything that “blows up or leaves the ground more than six feet” and explodes in the air can earn someone a felony. Otherwise, it is considered a misdemeanor and can lead to a $500 fine, Allum said.

It is also illegal to set off fireworks in city parks, public parking lots, or on school property, Allum said. Sprinkler systems in all parks will be activated at sunset. Extremely high temperatures and the record lack of rain this spring increases fire dangers as well, authorities said.

Some residents have complained about the fire hazard for those without tile roofing. Also, the debris left behind by excessive rockets leaves a huge mess.

Viewing areas should be set up at least 20 feet away from where fireworks are set off. Use a piece of drywall or sheetrock to protect pavement or grass areas, police said. Remember to allow all spent fireworks to completely cool before disposing of them, and keep a bucket of water nearby.

Fireworks can be set off between 4 p.m. and 10 p.m. today and all vendors of city-approved pyrotechnics will close their booths by 8 p.m., police said. There are 35 booths throughout the city offering fireworks that follow the so-called “Safe and Sane” guidelines.

“We’re going to be out there writing citations,” Allum said, adding that if you get caught “be angry with yourself for endangering your life and your children.”

Any and all fireworks in Newport Beach are illegal unless held at a designated venue such as the Newport Dunes Resort. “It is a crime to possess, ignite or throw any fireworks, Sgt. Evan Sailor said.

“The issues are twofold,” Sailor said. “One [aspect] is a fire hazard. The second is when [people] decide to throw them at people or into crowds.

“We do take aggressive enforcement action.”

This weekend, visitors to Newport should anticipate heavy traffic toward the peninsula over the next few days as it has become a holiday hotspot over the years. The city has planned road closures — due to the high volume of tourists this time of year — from 32nd to 54th Street along the 100 blocks, and eastbound on West Balboa Boulevard from West Coast Highway to 32nd Street.

Authorities also remind drivers to avoid drinking and driving.

In 2005, the most recent year statistics were available, the Fourth of July holiday weekend was the deadliest all year traffic-wise in the U.S., according to a report from the UC Irvine Center for Trauma and Injury Prevention Research.

The study found that 280 people were killed in DUI-related accidents in which the drunk drivers tested positive for a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher. Of those, 245 involved a motorcyclist with a blood alcohol level of .08 or higher, the study stated.