Police, fire and county leaders detail enforcement of July 4th measures in Las Vegas

Ryan Matthey and Julia Romero

19 minutes ago

LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — More glare in the sky historically means more destruction below, according to firefighters preparing to battle the flames that will ignite from illegal Fourth of July fireworks.

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

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

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

The fireworks in question are likely not being purchased at the yellow stands that have been popping up at gas stations across the Las Vegas Valley over the past week. CCFD says it has licensed these vendors, who offer “safe and wholesome” fireworks that are approved for widespread and supervised use. Proceeds from the sale will benefit local nonprofits.

Clark County Fire Department Deputy Chief Thomas Touchstone is more concerned about those entering the area not just by the truckload, but sometimes by the truckload. LVMPD said it has already confiscated seven tons of illegal fireworks in just over a week.

“Firecrackers, Roman candles, flares, anything that is highly combustible and goes up in the air and explodes,” Touchstone said, acknowledging the existence of illegal pyrotechnics. “Typically, a fire (from these fireworks) starts in a burning grass, roof or palm tree, and then that fire spreads.”

CCFD reported 99 fires between 6 p.m. and 11:15 p.m. on July 4. Over the next day, they responded to a total of 109 exterior fires and 24 structure fires, Touchstone said.

Based on data collected last year, there will be more police patrols in some ZIP codes and areas than before. This also includes disruptive house parties, which Touchstone said are commonly associated with illegal fireworks use.

“We typically have fire trucks going all over the place,” Touchstone said. “They’re responding from call to call to call, so the response times can vary, and that’s the problem with all these calls coming in, it really puts a strain on emergency response services.”

LVMPD Deputy Sheriff Andrew Walsh hopes the “significant amount of money” involved in seizing illegal fireworks will deter their use. Fines can range from $500 to $10,000, depending on state law.

“This is typically the busiest day for our communications center, where we get the most calls to 911 and 311,” Walsh said. “We’re hoping we can really impact the front end, so they don’t have to call 911.”

LVMPD is attempting to free up 911 lines for life-threatening emergencies Thursday and is asking those reporting illegal fireworks use not to call the number.

Instead, they ask that the information – which can be submitted anonymously – be sent to ispyfireworks.com, as they have done for the past few years.

Walsh says this will not prompt a police response to the area, but rather will provide statistics to the LVMPD for future enforcement efforts during the holiday.