RIVERSIDE – Reinforcing the message that most fireworks are illegal in Riverside County, sheriff's and fire officials Wednesday demonstrated why Independence Day pyrotechnics are better left to professionals.

“Imagine the little boy being sedated by an emergency room doctor, while our firefighters are there, holding compression to the end of his digit, which is gone and the bone is exposed,” county fire Chief John Hawkins said.

According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, 11 people died last year from fireworks-related injuries in the United States. An estimated 9,800 people were injured.

Hawkins joined Undersheriff Valerie Hill, Supervisor Marion Ashley, representatives from the sheriff's Hazardous Devices Team and others at the Ben Clark Public Safety Training Center in Riverside for a demonstration of the dangers of fireworks.

A sparkler thrown into dry brush immediately ignited a fire – a hazard that officials warned is particularly worrisome, given the drought conditions.

“We have zero tolerance (for illegal use of fireworks),” Ashley said. “We are not going to take it. If you get out there and you're caught, we're going to prosecute you to the full limit of the law. No tolerance.”

Outside of a few cities, the possession, transportation, sale or ignition of fireworks in the county is generally prohibited.

“Persons caught with illegal fireworks are subject to arrest, citation and/or fines,” said Fire Capt. Fernando Herrera Thursday. “Anyone who causes a fire by the use of fireworks will be financially responsible for all suppression costs.”

Private parties are prohibited from using fireworks except in the cities of Blythe, Cathedral City, Coachella and Indio, where so-called “safe and sane” fireworks can be sold to the general public, according to Herrera.

The devices, which must meet state Fire Marshal certification, are mostly fireworks that do not explode or fly, including sparklers, ground spinners, fountains, snappers and caps.

Municipalities can authorize fireworks demonstrations, and the county will grant permits for fireworks shows in the unincorporated areas.

More than two dozen Independence Day celebrations featuring aerial fireworks displays are scheduled in various locations across Riverside County.

According to Herrera, unauthorized use of fireworks led to 23 fires last year, down from 68 in 2006, “due to the aggressive zero tolerance stand taken by the Riverside County Fire Department and the... Sheriff's Department.”

Under county ordinance 858, fines for illegally storing, transporting or setting off fireworks can range from $500 to $1,000. A violation is a misdemeanor. After a first offense, a repeat violator can be sentenced up to a year in jail.

The county maintains two non-emergency hotlines for residents to report the use of illegal fireworks: (951) 776-1099 and (800) 950-2444.

A list of scheduled fireworks shows is available at www.rvcfire.org" target="new">www.rvcfire.org.