Clark County Fire Inspector Martin Castillas takes a box of illegal fireworks from Metro Police Captain William Matchko. Metro Police confiscate illegal fireworks from citizens, but the fire department is responsible for safe disposal in Las Vegas, Nevada on Thursday, June 27, 2024.
Friday, June 28, 2024 | 2 a.m.
Officials with Metro Police’s fireworks task force have a message to residents: Don’t bring dangerous illegal fireworks into Clark County.
“You live in the desert. It’s extremely dry, the fire hazard is very, very high, and depending on your neighbors, you might be disturbing some of our sensitive individuals,” said Metro Capt. William Matchko, the bureau commander for South Central Area Command, who doubles as the incident commander for Metro’s 2024 fireworks task force.
Metro and the Clark County Fire Department have confiscated more illegal fireworks this year than they did in all of 2023, officials said Thursday. Fourth of July, when fireworks are ignited across the valley, is a week away.
Most of the fireworks confiscated were found during traffic stops with residents who bought fireworks from outside of the county.
Those in possession of illegal fireworks can be fined up to $500 and given a civil citation, Matchko said.
Legal fireworks are sold at multiple locations throughout Clark County by approved and licensed vendors, and every box of approved fireworks has a seal designating them as “safe and sane.”
“Safe and sane” fireworks include sparklers and fireworks that keep to a small, circular area on the ground and don’t explode in the air, according to Clark County officials.
Fireworks from outside of Clark County are likely to be illegal, officials said, including those purchased in Pahrump, Amargosa Valley or from the Moapa Band of Paiutes.
Fireworks with excess gunpowder, aerial explosives and mortars are some examples that are illegal. Other illegal fireworks include: firecrackers or Roman candles, sky rockets or any item made of highly combustible materials, county officials said.
The illegal fireworks confiscated by Metro are stored in large containers at different area commands, and officials have filled at least one of the large containers in the South Las Vegas area. Matchko said he couldn’t provide the specific number of fireworks that have been confiscated.
But because of the uptick in confiscations, Matchko said Metro would enhance its enforcement over the weekend.
“Do not bring these into Clark County,” he said.
Confiscation of illegal fireworks won’t just take place prior to the holiday, Matchko said.
“I’m not keeping a secret, there’s going to be more officers out there on the weekend than there are on the weekdays, but we’re still going to be out there on the weekdays,” Matchko said. “I can assure you that the Fourth of July is going to have an unprecedented amount of not only fire inspectors, but police officers out there enforcing these laws.”
Although approved fireworks are marked because of their lowered risk, they are still potentially dangerous and should be handled with caution, Clark County Fire Inspector Martin Casillas said. Only adults should light fireworks and ensure there is a water hose or bucket nearby, he said, and people should avoid lighting fireworks during high-wind conditions.
“Safe and sane fireworks are safe and sane, but we also have to treat them as what they are,” Casillas said. “Be cautious and be very assertive with what’s going on.”
Approved fireworks are only legal to use today through July 4 in Clark County.
Residents concerned about illegal fireworks being ignited in their neighborhood should use the nonemergency 311 number to contact police — unless there is a serious injury or fire, officials said.
Matchko said reserving use of 911 for absolute emergencies is important to not overwhelm responders’ capabilities. He said the Fourth of July was the busiest night of the year for emergency dispatchers.
In the United States, 9,700 people were treated for injuries caused by fireworks in 2023, 66% of which occurred in the weeks before July 4, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Pointers
The county has a handful of safety tips for those shooting off legal fireworks, including never aiming fireworks at another person. You should also stand away from someone lighting a firework, because they are known to backfire or shoot off in the wrong direction. And don’t aim fireworks toward a home.
Additionally, light one firework at a time and never attempt to relight a firework that didn’t explode. Never shoot off fireworks in glass or metal containers.
Children shouldn’t pick up fireworks after they have been lit because some may still be ignited and ready to explode.
Keep pets indoors to limit their risk. Many animals have sensitive ears and can be frightened by the noise of fireworks exploding.
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