(SACRAMENTO, CA.) — California officials are sounding the alarm on fireworks dangers this Fourth of July after new data revealed that pediatric burn injuries requiring specialized treatment quadrupled over the past year.
Speaking at a joint press conference Thursday at Shriners Children's Northern California, burn surgeons, state fire officials, and local law enforcement urged residents to leave pyrotechnics to the professionals as the state prepares to mark Independence Day and the nation's 250th anniversary.
(Group image credit: CAL FIRE Office of the State Fire Marshal.)
Dr. Kathleen Romanowski, a critical care and burn surgeon at Shriners Children's Northern California — the region's only verified pediatric burn center — highlighted the human cost.
"The number of children admitted to specialist burn services with fireworks injuries increased fourfold between 2024 and 2025," Romanowski said. "This is a reminder that fireworks, even when used legally and safely, can cause life-changing injuries in an instant."
She noted that even sparklers, often viewed as harmless, burn at about 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit — hot enough for third-degree burns — and can ignite clothing unpredictably. Officials stressed that every child in the data required specialist care, with no minor injuries.
Romanowski advised families: Never let children light or handle fireworks (including sparklers), never relight duds, keep extinguishers or hoses nearby, dispose of used fireworks in water, and avoid loose clothing or flammable liquids nearby. She recommended professional public displays, glow toys, water balloons, or other activities instead.
Statewide Fire Impact and Enforcement California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant detailed the broader toll.
So far this year, Cal Fire has responded to more than a dozen wildfires sparked by fireworks. In 2025, 747 such fires caused nearly $16 million in property damage, injured five firefighters, killed eight civilians, and burned nearly 600 acres (equivalent to about 450 football fields).
"These numbers represent more than statistics," Berlant said. "They represent people, families, neighborhoods and emergency responders impacted by preventable incidents."
Berlant emphasized year-round enforcement, with partners seizing nearly 2 million pounds of illegal fireworks over the past five years — equivalent to 72 semi-trucks. California maintains zero tolerance for illegal fireworks possession, transport, or use.
(Deputy Chief Sam Marouk of Cal OES speaks during the fireworks safety press conference. Credit: OpGov.news.)
Deputy Chief Sam Marouk of the California Governor's Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES), Deputy Chief of Northern Operations for Fire & Rescue, urged preparedness for wildfire season.
"Disasters strike without warning, and local fire agencies don't face them alone," Marouk said. He encouraged signing up for local emergency alerts at CalAlerts.org for rapid text, phone, or email notifications on evacuations and lifesaving information.
Local Sacramento Enforcement area agencies ramped up efforts. Sacramento Fire Department officials reminded residents that only State Fire Marshal-approved "Safe and Sane" fireworks are legal where permitted, and only between June 28 and July 4. Anything that flies or explodes is illegal.
Senior Fire Protection Officer Maurice Gildersleeve noted the risks despite fond memories of celebrations. "Fireworks can absolutely be a fun part of the celebration," one official recalled, "but ... they carry very real risks."
Enforcement includes ground and air patrols, with fines from $1,000 to $10,000. Property owners can be cited. Report via the Sacramento Fire app or hotline.
Fire Marshal Amy Nygren of the Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District echoed safety tips: Keep a water bucket nearby, soak used fireworks overnight, maintain distance from dry grass and structures, and never relight malfunctions. She urged attending professional displays.
(Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Ed Igoe speaks at the joint press conference. Credit: OpGov.news.)
Sacramento County Sheriff's Office Public Information Officer Sgt. Ed Igoe said the holiday brings high call volumes. Call 911 for injuries or active fires; use the non-emergency line (916-874-5115) for real-time illegal fireworks complaints.
The Sheriff's Office and Rancho Cordova PD offer amnesty drop-off sites for unwanted fireworks: Rancho Cordova Police Department (2897 Zinfandel Drive) and Sheriff's North Patrol Station (4510 Orange Grove Avenue), weekdays 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Task force aircraft will aid detection.
Supervising Deputy District Attorney Katherine Martin (per recent references aligning with transcript's Catherine Mark) warned of strict prosecution.
(Fireworks on display at the joint fireworks safety press conference in Sacramento. Credit: OpGov.news.)
Possession or use of illegal fireworks can lead to misdemeanor charges (5-10 days jail, probation), escalating to felonies for large quantities, explosives, priors, or child endangerment. "All of this can be avoided by using good judgment," she said.
Officials called the response a shared responsibility across agencies, with unified messaging to protect communities during this historic celebration.
For more, visit readyforwildfire.org or local fire department resources.
If you’d like to add or correct anything in this report, feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment below. Submit Sacramento County tips and story ideas to Sarah Denos at sarahkdenos@gmail.com.
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