Flames sparked by illegal fireworks in two South Valley cities

TULARE COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- South Valley constabulary officers and firefighters had a precise engaged Fourth of July.

Illegal fireworks, mislaid animals and calls from neighbors who couldn't slumber made it 1 of their busier nights of the year.

The Visalia Fire Department responded to 3 fires burning astatine the aforesaid clip connected Thursday evening.

Most caused by amerciable fireworks oregon improper disposal of ineligible ones.

Visalia Fire Marshall Corbin Reed says they gave retired dozens of amerciable fireworks citations.

"It's frustrating, precise frustrating. It puts a ample taxation connected our department. It's hard to negociate that galore incidents astatine 1 clip and besides puts the remainder of the assemblage astatine risk, due to the fact that if you person 1 oregon 2 fires going connected past we don't person immoderate different units disposable for aesculapian aids," said Fire Marshall Reed.

A fewer miles down the road, the Hanford constabulary and occurrence departments besides had their hands full.

The Illegal Fireworks Task Force responded to implicit 60 calls and astir fractional were fireworks related.

At slightest 7 writer fires were caused by amerciable fireworks.

Battalion Chief Moses Neal says it's physically demanding enactment for his crews who person to enactment quickly, successful afloat cogwheel and triple digit heat.

He encourages everyone to bash their part.

"We are not asking you to not person amusive and not to person a bully clip but we are asking you to conscionable person respect for your neighbors. That's what the laws are determination for to support different people's property, support different people's safety," explained Neal.

The task unit issued 22 citations and confiscated astir 100 pounds of amerciable sparks.

One location sustained harm from a firework.

Thankfully nary 1 was physically injured, but the affectional distress locals, veterans and pets look from the large sounds goes beyond what astir radical realize.

"You gotta deliberation astir the different radical that are affected, which are animals, young children, kids with peculiar needs, and besides animals wherever the adjacent time oregon that nighttime is besides different origin successful consideration. With animals breaking retired of their backyards," expressed Hanford Police Lt. Jason Gustin.

If you inactive person harmless and sane fireworks left, it is good to usage them successful Visalia, but you indispensable marque definite you dispose of them decently by placing them successful a 5 gallon bucket of water.

If you person amerciable fireworks, the Visalia Fire Department says you tin surrender them, nary questions asked and nary sanction required.

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