Key points
- A massive explosion at a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County, California, has forced the evacuation of a 2-kilometer radius.
- The state has recorded more than 1,200 fires related to illegal fireworks, as well as hundreds of injuries, and is using new technology to combat violations.
California Fireworks Warehouse Explosion / Screenshot by Channel 24
A fireworks warehouse in Yolo County, California, has caught fire, and a 2-kilometer evacuation zone has been established around the area.
California has strict rules for using fireworks, Channel 24 reports, citing social media and ABC 10.
Fireworks warehouses explode in California
A massive explosion rocked a fireworks warehouse in Yolo County, northwest of Sacramento, sending hundreds of pyrotechnics skyward, where they continued to explode.
Powerful Explosion at California Fireworks Depot: Watch Video
Emergency services have arrived at the scene, the population within a radius of about 2 kilometers is being evacuated. Most likely, this warehouse is illegal.
There is no information yet about casualties or deaths.
Fireworks are a serious problem in California
California fire departments are stepping up security ahead of Independence Day in an attempt to curb the spread of illegal fireworks use as explosions ripped through illegal fireworks storage facilities.
California State Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said illegal fireworks have already cost the state more than $30 million in 2024. He said fireworks often cause fires, significant property damage and injuries, sometimes fatal.
In the past 12 months, California has seen more than 1,200 fires involving illegal fireworks, as well as hundreds of injuries.
To help combat crime, many counties, including Sacramento, are using new technology this year. Fire Marshal Jason Lee said drones are being used to identify violators from the air, along with increased ground patrols.
Fines for illegal fireworks in Sacramento County range from $1,000 to $10,000. At the same time, officials say the state has seized more than 600,000 pounds of illegal fireworks so far this year — nearly triple the average in recent years.
In some areas, only certified “Safe and Sane” fireworks are allowed. In Sacramento, such products can be purchased until 9 p.m. on July 4, and a portion of the proceeds goes to support community initiatives.
However, authorities are urging residents to check local restrictions carefully: in a number of communities, any use of fireworks, even legal ones, remains completely prohibited.
