The City of Sacramento has issued nearly $3 million in fines for illegal fireworks following a joint investigation by the Sacramento Fire Department and Sacramento Police Department. This total includes the $267,000 in citations announced earlier this summer for violations during the July 4 holiday period.

The largest fines stem from a July 4 operation in North Natomas, where officers and fire investigators seized 450 pounds of dangerous, illegal fireworks before they could be ignited at a planned neighborhood event.

Three individuals were cited under the City’s updated fireworks ordinance, with administrative penalties of $2.23 million, $430,000, and $10,000 respectively. Two of the suspects were also arrested on charges related to felony possession of illegal fireworks.

“This was an example of proactive, coordinated enforcement at its best,” said Capt. Justin Sylvia of the Sacramento Fire Department. “We were able to stop a dangerous display before it happened, protect the community from serious fire risk, and hold those responsible fully accountable. Illegal fireworks aren’t just a nuisance — they put lives, property, and our first responders in danger.”

The City Council’s June ordinance update increased penalties for using illegal fireworks near parks, schools, or critical infrastructure to up to $10,000 per device and allowed year-round enforcement.

Each firework is now considered a separate violation, significantly raising potential fines for large stockpiles.

Between July 2 and July 5, enforcement teams issued 44 citations totaling $267,000, more than doubling last year’s total dollar amount despite fewer citations overall. Of that amount, $192,000 came from the Sacramento Fire Department and $75,000 from Code Enforcement.

How to report illegal fireworks

Residents who see or hear illegal fireworks can:

• Call the non-emergency fire number at 916-808-3473 (FIRE).
• Use the Sacramento Fire Department Community App (available for Android and Apple).

Reports help guide enforcement and can prevent dangerous incidents before they happen.