PHOENIX (AZFamily) — Phoenix is implementing new fireworks restrictions less than a month before the Fourth of July, changing where residents can and cannot use fireworks.
“The Fourth of July is the busiest day for dispatches in the City of Phoenix Fire Department, bar none,” Phoenix Fire Captain Rob McDade said. “We go on the most trash fires, trash can fires, brush fires, alley fires, and no other day is even close to it.”
Starting June 20, no fireworks are allowed on any city-owned property or park, or within one mile of mountain preserves. When a Stage 1 fire restriction is in effect, fireworks are also banned within one mile of desert and regional parks.
An interactive map on the city’s website allows residents to look up any address to see if it is in a restricted zone.
“This is the biggest change in a city ordinance when it comes to fireworks that we’ve seen in a decade,” said Phoenix Police Lieutenant Brian Rimsza. “It’s something that’s generally been legal within a one-mile radius of mountain preserves. So now people who have, in the past for years, for a lifetime, potentially bought legal fireworks at Safeway in their neighborhood and gone back home and lit those fireworks, they’re now illegal.”
Recent close calls prompted the ordinance changes. McDade cited a fire on South Mountain that threatened TV towers and a fire near Cave Creek Dam near the Reach 11 Sports Complex, both on the Fourth of July.
“The aerial fireworks are our worst nightmare,” McDade said. “It shoots up in the air. We don’t know where it’s landing. We don’t know what it’s landing on. Three of our house fires last year on Fourth of July were aerial fireworks.”
Violators could face a civil fine up to $2,500 or a criminal misdemeanor charge that could result in six months in jail.
Police say they plan to lead with education when it comes to enforcement this Fourth of July since the changes are significant.
Anything that shoots into the air and explodes is always illegal. Certain types of fireworks are legal around major holidays. Novelty toys like sparklers, party poppers and snappers are allowed anytime.
Police advise residents looking to celebrate safely to leave it to the professionals and attend one of the many fireworks shows planned across the Valley.
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