Fireworks Landscape Changes in Valley

For years, Cathedral City has been one of only four communities in the Coachella Valley to permit the sale and discharge of “safe and sane” fireworks. The other communities are Desert Hot Springs, Indio and Coachella.

This year the group has been narrowed to three.

Cathedral City has left the group.

Safe and Sane products that are sold to the public only refer to fireworks that do not fly or explode such as sparklers, fountains, snake items and spinners. Parents are often unaware that the tip of a sparkler burns at temperatures exceeding 1,200 degrees and is capable of causing third-degree burns.

This year, city ordinance prohibits the celebratory devices in Cathedral City.  Anyone  found in violation will face a stiff fine. City ordinance imposes fines for not only the person lighting the fireworks, but also the property owner or lessee that allows the fireworks to be discharged.

How much will it cost you? Anyone caught using or allowing illegal pyrotechnics to be used on their property will receive a fine of $1,000 for the first offense, $2,000 more for a subsequent offense ($3,000 total), and an increase of $1,000 for each additional offense ($4,000, $5,000, etc.).

Don’t take the chance of shooting off illegal fireworks in Cathedral City or it can cost you! Illegal fireworks jeopardize your health and welfare as well as those around you including your neighbors, friends, and pets.

Fireworks that fly into the air or explode are banned in California and are classified as illegal and are never permitted to be sold or discharged.

Palm Springs prohibits fireworks of any kind.

If you see someone shooting off pyrotechnics, please contact the Cathedral City Police at (760) 770-0300.  If it is an emergency, call 9-1-1.