Sacramento County Cracks Down on Illegal Fireworks Ahead of July 4th

New fines and enforcement efforts aim to curb dangerous and disruptive fireworks use.

Mar. 25, 2026 at 5:51am

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The Sacramento County Board of Supervisors has unanimously approved new regulations to crack down on illegal fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July holiday. The new rules include higher fines, with offenders facing a $1,000 penalty for each illegal firework set off, as well as increased enforcement efforts by the sheriff's office and California Highway Patrol.

Why it matters

Illegal fireworks have become a major issue in Sacramento County, with hundreds of complaints made last year despite over 70 citations issued. The fireworks have led to a spike in fires, property damage, and disruptions to neighborhoods. The county is hoping the tougher penalties and enforcement will help curb the dangerous and disruptive use of illegal fireworks.

The details

Under the new regulations, the maximum fine for a first-time offense has been increased from $1,000 to $1,000 per illegal firework set off, with no limit on the total citation amount. The sheriff's office will also be deploying drones to spot offenders and having over 50 deputies work overtime shifts to respond to complaints. The California Highway Patrol is considering closing roads and limiting access in some neighborhoods to control crowds.

  • During the last Fourth of July holiday, Sacramento Metropolitan Fire District crews responded to 53 firework-related blazes — an 18% increase over 2024.
  • There were also more than 3,800 calls to the sheriff's department about illegal fireworks last July.

The players

Sacramento County Board of Supervisors

The governing body of Sacramento County that unanimously approved the new fireworks regulations.

Kim Nava

A spokesperson for Sacramento County who stated the county wants people to know the new fines "are going to hit you in the pocketbook."

Phil Serna

A Sacramento County Supervisor who acknowledged that illegal fireworks are "ubiquitous" in the county.

Lee Miller

A Sacramento County resident who is frustrated with the amount of illegal fireworks and is asking leaders to take action.

Chuck Pfau

A Lieutenant with the Sacramento County Sheriff's Office who said the department will be putting past offenders "on notice" about the increased enforcement efforts.

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What they’re saying

“We really want people to know this is going to hit you in the pocketbook.”

— Kim Nava, County Spokesperson

“I think we can all agree that illegal fireworks are kind of ubiquitous. You open a window or a door and it's in your face.”

— Phil Serna, County Supervisor

“We want fewer illegal fireworks in our neighborhood. We want fewer fires, fewer injuries, and fewer sleepless nights.”

— Lee Miller, Sacramento County Resident

What’s next

The sheriff's office says they will continue using drones to spot offenders, and they will have more than 50 deputies working overtime shifts to respond to complaints. The California Highway Patrol is also considering closing roads and limiting access in some neighborhoods to control crowds.

The takeaway

Sacramento County's crackdown on illegal fireworks, including higher fines and increased enforcement, aims to curb the dangerous and disruptive use of these devices that has led to a spike in fires, property damage, and neighborhood disruptions in recent years. The county is hoping these new measures will help keep the Fourth of July holiday safe for everyone.