County residents have been in tears pleading with San Bernardino County to do something about people igniting illegal fireworks that frighten animals, injure people, damage property, interrupt sleep, and trigger PTSD in what should be quiet neighborhoods. The problem has grown to a year-round one. Now, residents can go to the County Fire website at sbcfire.org and anonymously report the use and sales of illegal fireworks. The system, which allows the user to upload photos and videos, will create a database of fireworks reports that will help officials target problem areas. Law enforcement will respond promptly to only those reports that provide a specific location where fireworks are currently being shot off or sold. County public safety officials have confiscated some 121,000 pounds of illegal fireworks and written more than 700 citations that resulted in $875,000 in fines in the past four years. Fireworks of all varieties are illegal in the entire Morongo Basin. A March 16 fireworks explosion in Ontario killed two people and caused more than $3 million in damages.
