Riverside County Fire, Law and Code Enforcement officials remind residents and visitors that fireworks are illegal in most of Riverside County, meaning that no one may sell, purchase, transport, store or use fireworks in the county.

The cities of Blythe, Coachella, Cathedral City, Desert Hot Springs and Indio are the only cities that may sell and use state fire marshal-approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks. But fireworks purchased in these cities must not be transported, used or possessed outside of the cities in which they were purchased.

All fireworks, including sparklers, are illegal in Riverside County outside these cities because they cause serious injuries and very often start fires.

Anyone who causes a wildland fire by using illegal fireworks will be held responsible for all fire suppression costs. These costs can run into the millions of dollars.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s office, Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Department law enforcement officers and Riverside County Code Enforcement aggressively enforce Riverside County Ordinance 858, as well as other laws relating to the sale, transport, manufacturing storage and use of illegal fireworks.

The agencies have zero tolerance with regard to anyone possessing illegal fireworks. Those caught with illegal fireworks will be subject to fines, citation and/or arrest; including confiscation of all illegal fireworks.

Visit the County Fire Department website at www.rvcfire.org/Pages/PIO Pages/Fireworks-Prohibited-in-Riverside-County.aspx and follow the link to view a list of this year’s approved public firework shows.

Idyllwild has no public firework shows.