OFFICIALS FIRED UP TO CONTROL FIREWORKS.

Byline: Greg Botonis Staff Writer

LANCASTER - More than a month early, 40 inspectors in the Los Angeles County Fire Department got a fireworks show.

Everything from small flashers to Roman candles and mines was lighted at Fire Station 129 in Lancaster last week during training on what inspectors should look for, the distance crowds should be from various firework displays and other rules and safety procedures for commercial outdoor fireworks shows.

``There are so many July 4th fireworks displays throughout Los Angeles County, and we all have to be trained to know what to look for so we can keep the general public safe,'' said Los Angeles County Fire Department Inspector Mike McCormick. ``We inspect the big shows, and we have to know what we're looking for.''

The fireworks were provided by one of the more experienced pyrotechnicians in the business, Les Joslin of the Pyro Spectacular organization that puts on many large West Coast shows, including Seattle's Fourth of July show, and often oversees the fireworks displays at Angels Stadium in Anaheim.

The inspectors were shown how fireworks react when they are properly and improperly ``plugged'' - each one fitted with a cap that directs it to the proper height and influences how it will explode.

Inspectors also were shown how debris falls from various types of fireworks.

Joslin said some pyrotechnicians try to get around the rules by using fireworks that are cheap, defective or improperly cared for.

``He (Joslin) can teach us the ins and outs of this stuff because he's been doing this for more than 30 years,'' McCormick said. ``There's not many more qualified teachers.''

Joslin was accompanied by Marge Yarborough from the state's Office of the Fire Marshal, as well as officials from the county Fire Department.

Fire officials said they are hoping people attend the public displays rather than try to put on their own neighborhood shows, illegal in most areas of the Antelope Valley.

Officials noted that fireworks are illegal in areas including Lancaster, Quartz Hill, Acton, Lake Los Angeles, Littlerock and Pearblossom.

Fireworks that the state fire marshal considers relatively ``safe and sane'' are legal in Kern County and in the city of Palmdale, except for the portion of Palmdale south of the California Aqueduct, which includes the new Anaverde master-plan community.

CAPTION(S):

2 photos

Photo:

(1 -- color) Fireworks fly at Lancaster in a demonstration for inspectors from the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

(2) A state fire official, Marge Yarborough, and a pyrotechnician, Les Joslin, train county fire inspectors about fireworks.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer