Some California cities pay up to $1,000 for reporting illegal fireworks. See which ones

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Set us as preferred California has an illegal fireworks problem.As the Fourth of July nears, the air will fill with the sights, sounds and smells of festive, but illegal explosives.

In May, authorities evacuated parts of South Los Angeles after police found truckloads of fireworks.In April, a former Yolo County Sheriff’s Office lieutenant was one of five people indicted on a murder charge following a deadly July 2025 fireworks explosion that killed seven warehouse workers in Esparto.In 2024, Los Angeles paid $21 million to resolve claims stemming from an incident three years prior where city police blew up a South L.A.neighborhood while detonating a cache of fireworks.Beyond the risks of manufacturing or storing illegal fireworks are injuries, general disruption from the sound, potential wildfire hazard and lingering air pollution.In response, some cities across the state are offering incentives for reporting the possession or use of illegal fireworks.

Here are the details:The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $500 for information that leads to the arrest or identification of people intending to sell illegal fireworks, according to a sheriff’s office news release.“Illegal fireworks pose a serious threat to public safety and can lead to fires, injuries, property damage, and significant impacts on pets, livestock, veterans, and others who may be sensitive to loud explosions,” according to the release.

Anyone with information can contact the Fireworks Reporting Hotline at (805) 781-1933.Anonymous tips can be submitted through San Luis Obispo County Crime Stoppers by calling (805) 549-7867, through the free P3 Tips mobile app, or online at the Crime Stoppers website.

Don’t call 911 to report illegal fireworks.West Covina in Los Angeles Coun...