PERSONAL FIREWORKS OUTLAWED GO TO PUBLIC PYROTECHNICS SHOW, AUTHORITIES ADVISE.Byline: Eugene Tong Staff Writer SANTA CLARITA Santa Clarita, city (1990 pop. 110,642), Los Angeles co., S Calif., suburb 30 mi (48 km) NW of downtown Los Angeles, on the Santa Clara River; inc. 1987. Situated in the Santa Clara valley and nearby canyons, Santa Clarita includes the former towns of Canyon Country, - Local law enforcement is on the lookout this holiday weekend for private fireworks fireworks: see pyrotechnics. fireworks Explosives or combustibles used for display. Of ancient Chinese origin, fireworks evidently developed out of military rockets and explosive missiles and accompanied the spread of military explosives westward to shows, which are illegal in brushfire-prone Santa Clarita Valley The Santa Clarita Valley is the valley of the Santa Clara River in Southern California. It stretches through Los Angeles County and Ventura County. Its main population center is the city of Santa Clarita. The valley was part of the 48,612-acre (19,672. . The city of Santa Clarita and Sheriff's Department volunteers began sweeping neighborhoods earlier this week for sparklers, rockets and other displays, which are easily purchased at stalls outside city limits. The hit list includes fireworks commonly labeled ``safe and sane'' - fountains, smoke balls, snakes, ground spinners and pinwheels. ``All the deputies that work here are well aware of the fact that we're in a high-fire-risk area, ... and the fireworks are illegal in city and county areas,'' sheriff's Lt. Mike Dunkle said Thursday. ``A lot of people are under the impression that the 'safe and sane' fireworks are acceptable to use. ... Unfortunately, they aren't.' Violators caught lighting up the night - whether in the city or unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County - could face fines of at least $500 and up to a year in jail. ``Plus we confiscate To expropriate private property for public use without compensating the owner under the authority of the Police Power of the government. To seize property. When property is confiscated it is transferred from private to public use, usually for reasons such as them,'' Dunkle said. ``Their good money would go down the tubes.'' Such warnings typically don't stop residents determined to celebrate Independence Day with their own pyrotechnics pyrotechnics (pī'rōtĕk`nĭks, pī'rə–), technology of making and using fireworks. Gunpowder was used in fireworks by the Chinese as early as the 9th cent. shows. The Santa Clarita sheriff's station each year racks up more than 100 calls reporting illegal fireworks between 8 and 10 p.m. on the Fourth of July Fourth of July, Independence Day, or July Fourth, U.S. holiday, commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Celebration of it began during the American Revolution. , Dunkle said. Besides increased vigilance from law enforcement, county fire crews also are on high alert. A record 50 inches of rain soaked Santa Clarita this winter and left thickets of brush and foliage that are drying quickly from recent high temperatures. ``Local fire units will be patrolling within the community to discourage the use of illegal fireworks and misuse of 'safe and sane' fireworks,'' Assistant Chief Matt Gil of the county Fire Department said in a statement. Dunkle recommends residents attend one of four local fireworks shows. The city is staging a free display at Westfield Valencia Town Center Westfield Valencia Town Center, formerly Valencia Town Center, is a shopping mall in Valencia, California, owned by The Westfield Group. Its anchor stores are JCPenney, Macy's, and Sears. The Robinsons-May was renamed Macy's on September 9, 2006. . Other shows will be presented at Castaic Lake, Richard Rioux Park in Stevenson Ranch and at Six Flags California's Magic Mountain. ``Take advantage of the fact that this valley has a variety of high-quality fireworks shows,'' he said. ``Watch it with your family.'' Eugene Tong, (661) 257-5253 eugene.tong(at)dailynews.com |
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