Los Banos fire chief: Calls up July 4 for illegal fireworks despite safety plea

Fire Chief Tim Marrison said the Fire Department dealt with more fireworks-related calls than usual Monday, despite a concerted effort to put out a countywide July 4 safety message.

“I’m just very disappointed in a certain segment of our community that disregarded our laws and state laws,” Marrison said.

Marrison said the Los Banos Fire Department responded to seven separate incidents that involved fireworks during Independence Day celebrations Monday, in addition to other calls.

Marrison also said Los Banos police handled more than 100 police calls relating to fireworks Monday.

The Los Banos Police Department was busy processing the data from the calls Tuesday, Cmdr. Ray Reyna said in an email. Updates weren’t available as of press time.

“Last night was very busy for us,” Marrison said to the Enterprise on Tuesday. “Our ability to do enforcement was severely hampered by the amount of emergency calls (related to fireworks).”

The Fire Department put out minor fires all around the city Monday, including dumpster fires at apartment complexes on Canal Farm Lane and Iowa Avenue, Marrison said.

There was a barbecue pit fire near the intersection of Lexington Avenue and Rockport Drive, and a trash can fire in front of Target, he said.

Vegetation and grass fires in the creek off Badger Flat Road and the intersection of Limestone Boulevard and Bellflower Way also were extinguished. A pile of mulch went up in flames at the intersection of 7th Street and G Street.

While it was determined that those fires were related to people lighting off fireworks, an ongoing investigation Tuesday sought to determine if a structure fire on Kiwi Street was also caused by fireworks.

None of the fires led to extensive damage, Marrison said.

“I would say there were more illegal and dangerous fireworks this year than normal,” Marrison said.

Monday marked the second straight year the annual local fireworks show was canceled.

While that may have contributed to the increase in people lighting dangerous fireworks that weren’t labeled “Safe and Sane,” Marrison said it likely wasn’t just Los Banos dealing with the problem. He said he had talked with people in other communities who reported similar issues.

In addition to fire safety, Marrison said he hopes people lighting fireworks will have more regard for neighbors’ property and pets when they light their fireworks.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 5:57 PM with the headline "Los Banos fire chief: Calls up July 4 for illegal fireworks despite safety plea."