Calaveras County Doesn't Understand Dangers of Fireworks?

FEMA U.S. Fire Administration Statistics

    These figures do not take into consideration our tinder dry conditions and difficult terrain once a fire has started.      

   Tuolumne County has wisely banned all fireworks within the county whether "safe and sane" or not. 

    It appears that perhaps Calaveras wants to learn the hard way that fire is fire.  Will it take a loss of life or property for County Supervisors to realize the dangers of any fire producing material used under such dry conditions?

• Fireworks were the cause of 13 fatalities, 8,500 injuries, 7,000 fires, and $40 million in property loss in 1998.
• 70-75% of fireworks injuries occur during a 30-day period (June 23-July 23). In addition to Independence Day, other peak periods for injuries are New Year’s Eve and other holidays.
• 45% of fireworks injuries are to children under the age of 15. Males are three times more likely than females to be injured.

   The data reflects injuries, fatalities, and fire loss associated with fires caused directly by fireworks. Fireworks fires cause approximately $15 million in property loss, injure 50, and kill 15 annually. Most fires are clustered around Independence Day, New Year’s Eve, and other holidays or celebrations.   Fifty-seven percent of fires caused by fireworks occur in July, and nearly 20% occur on July 4. The majority are in open fields or vacant lots.   In addition to civilian injuries, fireworks fires are also deadly to firefighters. 

   Because fireworks can be dangerous and deadly, the safest way to enjoy them is through public displays conducted by professional pyrotechnicans in controlled environments like Disneyland.