Parched Conejo makes home fireworks particularly dangerous

JANN HENDRY/Acorn Newspapers THIS SHOW IS LEGAL—Fireworks ignite during last year's display in Thousand Oaks. Authorities are reminding residents that it's illegal and dangerous to shoot off pyrotechnics in residential areas and at parks in Thousand Oaks. Saturday's professional show is free and visible from the parking lots of Janss Marketplace and The Oaks mall. The Fourth of July Fireworks Spectacular starts at 9 p.m. As illegal firecrackers pop and neighbors' dogs howl, the Thousand Oaks police and Ventura County Fire Department will be on the lookout for citizens breaking the law.

Those who set off illegal fireworks send off flares of streaming sparks that whistle and pop, making it easy for police and fire department officials to find them. Often, neighbors will call 911 to report people with roman candles, bottle rockets, firecrackers and other dangerous pyrotechnics.

"Responsible people who understand the extreme danger of illegal fireworks call 911 and report it when they see someone shooting them off near hillsides and homes, and I encourage them to do so," said Capt. Randy Pentis, Thousand Oaks assistant chief of police.

The cost of possession of illegal fireworks could be a $1,000 fine or one year in jail, said Capt. Ron Oatman, Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson.

"There's no such thing as 'safe and sane' fireworks. They are all dangerous," Oatman said.

"We have zero tolerance. Besides the obvious fire dangers there is a good chance of personal injury," Pentis said.

Oatman said he finds it hard to believe that parents would put a 1,000-degree sparkler in their child's hand. He compared it to giving a child a book of matches to play with.

"Once the skin is burned, (it) dies. It doesn't repair itself like it does with a cut. The skin is dead," Oatman said.

One doesn't have to light the illegal explosives to get fined or arrested. Possession is enough, Pentis said.

He encourages people to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday by enjoying the professional fireworks display from The Oaks mall or Janss Marketplace parking areas.

Conejo Recreation and Park District has brought in experts to light up the night sky with all of the awe and beauty spectators enjoy, but without any risk.

Thousand Oaks traffic officers have a plan in place to assist in keeping the traffic moving so folks can get home after the event.