Riverside County Issues Over 200 Fireworks Violation Citations

More than 200 citations were issued and over 2,000 pounds of unlicensed pyrotechnics were seized during the Fourth of July weekend enforcement campaign across Riverside County, California. The Board of Supervisors reviewed an after‑action report showing a 22% rise in citations compared with the previous year (212 this year vs. 172 in 2025) and 3,776 911 fireworks‑related calls.

County fire crews responded to 69 fireworks‑related blazes, a one‑third drop from 2025. Recent amendments to Ordinance No. 858 increased civil penalties for illegal fireworks to $1,000‑$5,000 and added liability for property owners. The fire chief now may designate “safe and sane” fireworks zones in unincorporated areas. Officials credited a robust public‑information campaign for the reduced fire risk.

The enforcement effort involved the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department, Fire Department, Code Enforcement, and Cal Fire, and the Board of Supervisors voted unanimously to adopt the report.