Officials Report Sharp Drop in Elk Grove Fourth of July Fires as Illegal Fireworks Fines Reach $259,000
Code Enforcement Manager Jose Mendez said the city identified 37 properties where illegal fireworks violations occurred
ELK GROVE, Calif. — Elk Grove officials reported a continued decline in Fourth of July-related fires during a July 22 City Council presentation that highlighted expanded enforcement efforts against illegal fireworks, including the use of police drones, increased public education and enhanced code enforcement operations.
While the Elk Grove Police Department released basic information shortly after the Independence Day holiday, Wednesday night's presentation marked the first detailed public accounting of law enforcement and code enforcement activities undertaken to curb illegal fireworks.
Code Enforcement Manager Jose Mendez said the city identified 37 properties where illegal fireworks violations occurred, resulting in $259,000 in administrative citations. Under a 2024 city ordinance, each illegal firework possessed or launched can result in a $1,000 fine, with a maximum administrative penalty of $10,000 per property. The ordinance also allows citations against property owners and others responsible for activities occurring on private property.
Mendez said the city combined enforcement with an extensive public education campaign before the holiday. Officials claimed to have reached more than 166,000 people through social media, distributed information through weekly email newsletters, mailed educational materials to approximately 65,000 households, partnered with local businesses and permitted fireworks stands, and expanded its illegal fireworks amnesty program from one to two collection events.
Police Lt. Nathaniel Lange said this marked the third year the department used its Drone as First Responder program for Fourth of July enforcement. Four drones operated throughout the city while code enforcement personnel worked alongside police officers in the department's Real-Time Information Center to review violations as they occurred. Four additional police-code enforcement strike teams responded in the field.
Lange said officers received 116 calls to 911 during the six-hour enforcement period between 6 p.m. and midnight, along with eight fire-related calls. The number of locations where officials obtained sufficient video evidence for enforcement increased from 34 last year to 37 this year.
Officials also emphasized a continuing reduction in Fourth of July fires over the past three years, calling it one of the program's most significant achievements.
Looking ahead to 2027, staff said the city plans to continue using drones, increase outreach to landlords whose tenants violate the ordinance, expand fireworks amnesty opportunities and provide educational materials in additional languages.
Council members praised the coordinated effort among city departments. Councilmember Kevin Spease noted that the city's enforcement campaign extends well beyond police and code enforcement personnel.
"I want to make sure that I thank everyone on staff because July 4 really is one of those all-hands-on-deck kind of days," Spease said. "I appreciate that."
