It’s that time of year when area non-profits sell Safe and Sane
fireworks, making thousand of dollars to enhance their
organizations or in some cases to keep them afloat. But along with
this charitable endeavor comes responsibility.
It’s that time of year when area non-profits sell Safe and Sane fireworks, making thousand of dollars to enhance their organizations or in some cases to keep them afloat. But along with this charitable endeavor comes responsibility.
Hollister and San Juan Bautista are in a select group, being two of the state’s 263 communities that permit the annual sale and use of state-approved fireworks. The San Benito County cities are a minority.
In our neighboring county to the north, Gilroy is the only city in Santa Clara County that allows the sale of fireworks. To the west, Watsonville is the only city in Santa Cruz County that allows the sale of fireworks. And to the southwest, only five cities in Monterey County allow the sale of fireworks.
And for good reason.
One only has to look at the sun-dried, burnt-brown hills that surround us to realize the fire danger lurking, or to remember last year’s Croy Fire in southern Santa Clara County and how quickly that spread out of control.
Fireworks are the reason for tens of thousands of dollars in property damage each season, including grass fires and homes destroyed. According to the state fire marshal, in 1999, from June 17 to July 16, there were 240 incidents of fire caused by the state-approved Safe and Sane fireworks, amounting to more than $46,000 in property and content loss. It doesn’t compare to the 362 fire incidents, totaling $1.14 million, that were caused by the use of illegal fireworks.
Hollister Fire Marshal Mike O’Connor told the Free Lance there has never been a confirmed report of a fire caused by Safe and Sane fireworks, though the department has responded to fires caused by illegal fireworks, such as bottle rockets.
That’s a good sign and an indication that, although the county is in the minority when it comes to the sale of fireworks, the community is aware of the dangers.
So, celebrate the red, white and blue in a safe-and-sane manner. But remember, one mistake could send a good thing up in smoke.
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