‘The Rockets’ Red Glare, Bombs Bursting In Air…’

By Mike Conrad, Division Chief Operations Aptos La Selva Fire Protection District

The Star Spangled Banner is just an example of how fireworks are a part of America’s history. Unfortunately, this time honored tradition often brings about devastating fires, personal injury, and even death.

With the Fourth of July approaching, I (like other Americans) look forward to watching fireworks displays. With the hiss of the rockets as they lift into the air; the bright flash of light and rainbow of colors followed by the loud, trembling boom; and the sheer pleasure on the faces of children as they watch intently, eyes wide and mouths scrunched as they echo ‘oohs and ahhs’ after each explosion.

As a firefighter, I have also seen the fear in the eyes of children when the American tradition goes askew and the look of sheer disbelief as a family witnesses the loss of their home and all of their belongings in a raging fire.

Each year firefighters anticipate the devastation that fireworks will bring. According to the National Fire Protection Association in 2011 9,600 fireworks related injuries were treated in hospital emergency rooms. Children under the age of 15 accounted for 26% of those injuries. Also in 2011 fireworks was the cause of 17,800 reported fire incidents, resulted in $32 million dollars in total losses. We know that many fireworks related incidents go unreported and the dollar loss and injury numbers are probably much greater.

Fire in any form does not mix with our wildland areas. Fireworks, once ignited, are often unpredictable as well as uncontrollable. Once a fire starts it is inevitably too late. It is like trying to stop a bullet once it’s been fired from a gun.

This year on the heels of four years of drought the risk of fireworks starting a fire is even greater. The dry conditions of our wildland fuels make them very receptive to the sparks and heat generated by fireworks.

Help us protect our community. All fireworks are illegal in Santa Cruz County except within the city limits of Watsonville and on private property in the city of Capitola. Contact your local Law Enforcement or Fire Department to report any fireworks activity that you observe. Your early involvement can prevent a devastating injury of fire from every occurring.

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Your local Fire Departments are equipped, trained, and ready to serve you when an emergency occurs. Report any fireworks activity you observe by calling 911.