San Bernardino County Fire Protection resources were put to the test this Fourth of July with incidents sparking throughout the High Desert and beyond during the holiday weekend.
Cops seized 7.5 tons of illegal fireworks in San Bernardino County during a three-month operation ahead of the holiday.
Still, the explosives found a way into the backyards and trunks of Victor Valley residents.
Over the 24-hour period from 8 a.m. July 4 to 8 a.m. July 5, the district responded to 968 incidents, including 227 fire responses, up from 778 emergency calls and 207 fire responses during the Fourth of July in 2025.
By comparison, county fire responded to 457 incidents, including 29 fires, during the same 24-hour period on June 4.
To prepare for the surge in calls, the county established five task forces made up of hand crews, patrols, engines, water tenders and dozers that were strategically positioned throughout the county, augmenting initial attack resources around the clock. A strike team of brush engines was also staged centrally as an additional layer of coverage. This preparation helped mitigate major fires and fireworks-related accidents over the holiday weekend.
The aftermath of fireworks in the High Desert
High Desert residents are left dealing with the consequences of Fourth of July each year long after the last fireworks light up the patriotic sky.
A Hesperia man was arrested during his holiday celebration down the hill in Chino. He is accused of manslaughter after a July 4 fireworks explosion left a woman dead and three other people injured, authorities said.
In Adelanto, the only Victor Valley town where safe and sane fireworks are legal, residents complained of chaos and a trashed city.
Adelanto resident Briseno Mars says residents from the surrounding desert towns are the ones who go to Adelanto to light off fireworks, then leave fireworks casings behind, not bothering to clean up because “it’s not their hometown, so they don’t care.” Because of the neglect, Adelanto officials are now organizing a town hall to consider a city-wide fireworks ban.
Additionally, several vegetation fires ignited due to the illegal use of fireworks. According to San Bernardino County fire, no homes were lost thanks to the department’s careful pre-planning and the dedication of the firefighters.
High Desert residents concerned with the ongoing use of fireworks can attend a “Firework Workshop” at 6 p.m. on July 13 at Adelanto Stadium, 12000 Stadium Way in Adelanto.
McKenna Mobley is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@usatodayco.com or on Instagram @mckenna_dailypress.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Fire calls across the county up by hundreds compared to last Fourth of July
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press | USA TODAY Network
