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Sheriff, Fire, CHP To Establish Fireworks Checkpoints

Press Release From San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department

By RIMOFTHEWORLD.net
Friday, June 29, 2007

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, in conjunction with the San Bernardino County Fire Department and the California Highway Patrol, will be conducting a series of Fireworks Interdiction Checkpoints on the roads leading to the local mountains. The checkpoints will begin on Friday, June 29, 2007, and continue at various locations throughout the Fourth of July week. The checkpoints will be manned by members of the Sheriff's Department Arson/Bomb Detail, members of San Bernardino County Fire and Deputies from local area patrol stations. Traffic will be monitored by the California Highway Patrol.

All fireworks, including the Safe and Sane variety are illegal to possess in the unincorporated areas of San Bernardino County. Fireworks present a special hazard in the mountain areas where fire danger is extremely high due to the drought conditions of the previous winter.

The San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department is taking these extraordinary measures to avoid the kind of tragedy which recently occurred in the Lake Tahoe area. Persons found to be in possession of any types of fireworks are subject to arrest and prosecution.

The illegal sales, importation, and use of fireworks creates a tremendous financial burden on state and local government, as well as posing a significant risk to public safety.