Bay Area cracking down on illegal fireworks as drought worsen

GILROY, Calif. (KGO) -- This week's searing heat is easing up for the holiday weekend, but not the high pressure to stop the use of illegal fireworks due to fire danger. Even in the few islands where Safe and Sane fireworks are sold, enforcement has been stepped up.

It's part of the drill now. Produce an ID to prove you live in Gilroy.

"It's the law and people should obey the law wherever they live, so I'm lucky that I get to live here in Gilroy and be able to purchase and light fireworks off here," Ryan Shock, a Gilroy resident.

The 16 nonprofits selling Safe and Sane fireworks generate most of their operating funds over four days.

The Little League Ball Park stand rakes in $25,000-$30,000 a year to maintain and improve its fields. But they could lose their permits if they sell to someone outside Gilroy.

"We had somebody who came by and asked if they can take it to the beach, and we told him, no, that's not allowed. You can't take them out of the city limits. If you use them on the beach, you run the risk of getting fined, so suggest, please do not," Edward Luia with the Little League Ball Park Fund.

Fire officials acknowledge no one can really track where these fireworks end up.

Gilroy is the only place in Santa Clara County where Safe and Sane fireworks are sold and allowed to be set off.

Gilroy had a reminder Tuesday of the high fire danger when 50 acres burned in the dry foothills. Glroy prohibits the discharge of the Safe and Sane fireworks anywhere adjacent to wild land areas.

"The police are on patrol. There's extra units, and the fire department. Our main responsibility is patrol, less enforcement than patrol, and making sure if we see anything, smell anything, hear anything, that we're on the scene quick," said Gilroy Fire Division Chief Mary Gutierrez.

Nobody says they mind being carded. And with visual reminders, customers like Jacquy Carrasco say they're going to be very careful this 4th of July weekend.

"We don't want to lose this privilege. We know it's very special," she said.

Click here for a list of things to do this Fourth of July.