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Since May 1, Cal Fire BEU (San Benito/Monterey Unit) has responded to over 50 vegetation fires in San Benito County which have burned over 2,000 acres. Three of those fires are still under investigation. Cal Fire and Hollister Fire Department both advise that with hot, dry, windy weather and an abundance of fuel, more fires are likely throughout this fire season.
Mishandled fireworks can and do cause fires and Cal Fire recommends that residents let experts put on fireworks shows. In San Benito County, fireworks may only be used within the city limits of Hollister and San Juan Bautista.
Cal Fire also recommends the following safety tips if you choose to use fireworks:
- Never use illegal fireworks.
- Make sure the fireworks have the State Fire Marshal “Safe and Sane” seal on them.
- Make sure the “Safe and Sane” fireworks are purchased from a licensed fireworks booth.
- Never allow young children to use or handle fireworks.
- Never use fireworks while impaired by drugs or alcohol.
- Never hold a lit firework in your hands.
- Never light fireworks indoors.
- Never light safe and sane fireworks on or near dry grass or other flammable vegetation.
- Never use them near people, houses and flammable materials.
- Never point or throw fireworks at another person or animal.
- Do not try to re-light or handle malfunctioning fireworks.
- Soak both spent and unused fireworks in water for an extended time before discarding.
- Keep a bucket of water and a hose nearby to fully extinguish fireworks that don’t go off or in case of fire.
Illegal fireworks include:
- Sky rockets
- Bottle rockets
- Roman candles
- Aerial shells
- Firecrackers
- Other fireworks that explode, go into the air, or move on the ground in an uncontrollable manner
Hollister Police Department and San Benito County Sheriff’s Department will have extra patrols on the streets during the day and night. Hollister Fire Department Chief Jonathan Goulding said the department will have extra type 6 engines on patrol in case they are needed. He added that fireworks are illegal in unincorporated areas of the the county. In the last 10 days they have responded to five grass fires started by fireworks, the largest of which was five acres.
Illegal fireworks can be turned into any fire station with no questions asked.
More Cal Fire fireworks safety tips are here.
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