Friday, July 3, 2026

Barger Urges Residents to Skip Fireworks as Altadena Rebuilds From Eaton Fire

[Supervisor Kathryn Barger via Facebook]

County supervisor points to fines and professional shows ahead of July 4, citing wildfire risk

Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger is urging residents across Altadena and the rest of her Fifth District to avoid personal fireworks this Fourth of July, citing the ongoing recovery from the Eaton Fire, according to a news release from her office.

All fireworks — including “safe and sane” varieties — remain illegal in unincorporated Los Angeles County, which includes Altadena, as well as in many surrounding cities.

Residents caught violating the ban in unincorporated areas face fines of up to $1,000, the release said. State law carries its own separate penalty structure: anyone found in possession of unaltered dangerous fireworks can face fines ranging from $500 to more than $50,000, depending on the gross weight of fireworks involved. The two penalty schemes apply differently depending on the type and quantity of fireworks found, according to the release.

“We’ve seen firsthand what one spark can do,” Barger said in the release. “Families across Altadena are still rebuilding, yet a single firework — even the ‘safe and sane’ kind — could put another neighborhood at risk. Enjoy the holiday, but leave the fireworks to the professional shows happening across the county.”

The Eaton Fire broke out in January 2025 and caused widespread destruction in Altadena, where many residents remain in various stages of rebuilding more than a year later. Altadena falls within Barger’s Fifth District, which she has represented on the Board of Supervisors since 2016.

The timing of the release reflects a pattern familiar to fire-recovery communities: holidays that once passed without much notice now carry added weight, since even a small spark can threaten neighborhoods still recovering from one of the region’s most destructive fires. 

A list of fireworks displays celebrating the United States’ 250th anniversary, compiled by the Los Angeles County Fire Department, is available here or call the Fireworks Hotline at (888) 654-FIRE (3473).