[NelsonMinar]

I realize as a Californian we may not count as "American" in this particular zeitgeist stereotype. But FWIW we have a firework ban in Nevada County that is widely respected. There are very few violations and the law is actively enforced.

The difference is we are in a no-joke dangerous fire situation and everyone recognizes it. Most people know better than to set off incendiary explosives in a forest. Anyone who shot off illegal fireworks would immediately be shamed and censured by their neighbors. I guess it's a form of commune-ism.

[davemp]

Yeah I think that’s the difference. On the east coast in July, the big safety risk with fireworks is generally to your own person.

[inspector-g]

I too live in Nevada County. While I largely agree with the claim that most people recognize and respect the safety implications, most years I still see (or hear) illegal fireworks. It’s clearly the odd individual doing it and not the majority of people, but the asymmetric risk they impose is a real bummer and I would love to see more/better enforcement of the restrictions on such individuals.

[gilrain]

I grew up in southern CA, in a dry pine forest. I can assure you the children I knew traded and set off fireworks. We were all envious of the families who brought them back from Mexico — they had the best stuff.

I guess rules-followers assumed we were all doing as they did.

[MomsAVoxell]

It’s all fun and games until you burn down a few thousand houses.

[adamredwoods]

Not entirely sure, but this fire aligns with July 4, and has one death:

https://www.wenatcheeworld.com/wildfire/update-numerous-stru...

[trillic]

The biggest forest fire I know of in Southern California this year was caused by a boater using his government mandated safety flares.

If there was not a law regulating the use of these incendiary devices, Santa Rosa may not have burned.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santa_Rosa_Island_Fire

[antonyt]

Your own link contradicts the assertion you’re making about the origin of the fire.

[gosub100]

It's funny that CAs own "environmental" laws actually created the tinder box conditions in the forest. So their solution is more laws, of course.

[NelsonMinar]

The premise of this statement is wrong.

[foobarchu]

I'd argue the conclusion is wrong. The premise, that places like CA are currently such tinderboxes as a direct result of preventing natural burning and continuing to develop in areas that need to burn to stay healthy, is extremely well supported.

[boogieknite]

There was a similar cultural shift in the Portland OR area after fireworks caused the massive Eagle Creek fire 9 years ago. This is the first year that it seems like firework activity returned to the pre-fire levels.

250 baby! (/s)