Police, fire and district leaders announce details of Las Vegas’ July 4th measures

Ryan Matthey and Julia Romero

20 mins ago

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – More sparkle in the sky historically means more destruction below, according to fire officials preparing to battle the flames sparked by illegal Fourth of July fireworks.

At a joint conference with the Clark County government, its fire department and the Las Vegas city government on Wednesday afternoon, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) discussed new approaches to preventing new fire disasters based on the results of previous years.

“Some have even lost fingers and eyes,” said Las Vegas Mayor Carolyn Goodman at LVMPD headquarters.

“This traffic accident was caused by a fire rocket hitting your car while you were driving,” said Clark County Commissioner Marilyn Kirkpatrick. “We know where the danger spots are.”

The pyrotechnics in question likely did not come from the yellow stands that started popping up in gas stations across the Vegas Valley last week. The CCFD says it has approved these vendors, who offer “safe and sensible” fireworks approved for widespread and supervised use. Proceeds here benefit various local nonprofits.

Instead, Thomas Touchstone, assistant chief of the Clark County Fire Department, is concerned that people are coming to the area not just by the truckload, but sometimes fully loaded. The fire department said it has already confiscated seven tons of illegal fireworks in just over a week.

“Firecrackers, fireworks, rockets, anything that is flammable and shoots up into the air and explodes,” Touchstone said, acknowledging illegal pyrotechnics. “Usually (a fire from these fireworks) starts in the grass or on a roof or a burning palm tree, and then the fire spreads.”

The CCFD reported 99 fires between 6 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on July 4. Over the course of the following day, the team responded to a total of 109 outdoor fires and 24 structure fires, Touchstone said.

Based on data collected last year, there will be more police patrols in certain zip codes and areas than before. This includes disruptive house parties, which Touchstone says are usually accompanied by illegal fireworks.

“Typically, fire trucks are going in all directions,” Touchstone said. “They’re responding to one call after another, so response times can vary. That’s the problem with all these incoming calls: They really put a strain on emergency services.”

LVMPD Deputy Sheriff Andrew Walsh hopes the “significant amounts of money” associated with confiscating illegal fireworks will deter the use of fireworks. The fine can range from $500 to $10,000, according to state law.

“Historically, this is the busiest day for our communications center, where we get the most emergency calls and 311 calls,” Walsh said. “Hopefully we can really make a difference on the front end so they don’t have to call 911.”

The LVMPD is attempting to open up 911 emergency numbers for life-threatening emergencies on Thursday and is instructing those reporting illegal use of fireworks not to call that number.

Instead, they are asking that tips – which can be submitted anonymously – be sent to ispyfireworks.com, as in previous years.

Walsh says this will not provoke police involvement in the area, but will provide the LVMPD with statistics for future holiday enforcement actions.