Fireworks sales suspended in Cloverdale due to red flag warning

The sale and use of legal fireworks will be suspended in Cloverdale due to uncertain weather conditions that raise concerns about wildfires, city officials announced Tuesday.

The sudden announcement, coming just two days before Independence Day, is a huge reversal for the only place in Sonoma County where the sale and use of so-called “safe and sane” fireworks is allowed.

This sale had only started on Monday.

Authorities justified the decision with the National Weather Service’s forest fire warning, which is in effect until Friday and indicates extreme fire danger.

Temperatures across the region are expected to rise above 100 degrees daily, including in Cloverdale, normally the hottest city in Sonoma County.

Low humidity and gusty winds of up to 40 km/h have increased the risk of fire.

“The decision to suspend the sale and use of state-approved fireworks was made after careful and thorough consideration and due to the fire risk to our community,” city officials said in a news release Tuesday.

On Tuesday, Santa Rosa police blamed fireworks for the arson attack on 230 square meters. A resident of the city was arrested on suspicion of setting the fire.

Tuesday’s announcement was the result of discussions between city leaders, the Cloverdale Police Department and the Cloverdale Fire Department.

Authorities did not say what would happen to the fireworks that had already been purchased at two locations in the city operated by TNT Fireworks.

Before Tuesday’s announcement, Cloverdale residents would have been allowed to set off “safe and reasonable” fireworks between 11 a.m. and midnight on July 4.

“Safe and sane” fireworks do not explode or fly and can be identified by a California state or state fire marshal logo on the product. Until Tuesday’s announcement, Cloverdale’s rules allowed them to be set off only on private property and at least 10 feet away from other homes.

A Fourth of July fireworks display at Cloverdale High School is scheduled to go ahead as planned.

“Firefighters will be on site to monitor conditions and ensure the safety of visitors,” city officials said in Tuesday’s announcement. “If weather conditions exist that pose a danger to the city, the fireworks display could be canceled and/or modified.”

Cloverdale’s announcement came the same day that St. Helena and Yountville authorities announced they would postpone their respective fireworks displays due to increased fire danger throughout Napa County.

The move came after a 40-acre wildfire broke out in rugged terrain northeast of Calistoga off the Old Lawley Toll Road, sparking intense, hours-long firefights involving ground crews, bombers and helicopters.

Instead, St. Helena will hold a community-wide Independence Day celebration at Crane Park without fireworks.

Reach staff writer Colin Atagi at [email protected]. Follow on Twitter @colin_atagi