Escondido officials urge residents to avoid illegal fireworks, cite fire and safety risks

Officials with the Escondido Fire Department and a city council member urged residents to avoid illegal fireworks, saying they pose risks of injury, harm to neighbors, and wildfire ignition.

Lavonna Koretsky, deputy fire marshal with the Escondido Fire Department, said the city's celebration customs carry safety risks when people use illegal fireworks. "The illegal use of fireworks is a safety concern. The potential to hurt yourself, your neighbors, or start a wildfire is great and just not worth the risk," Koretsky said.

Koretsky asked residents to report illegal fireworks by calling the Escondido Police non-emergency line and to enjoy professional public displays instead of setting off personal fireworks.

Mary Folzuelo Martinez, who identified herself in the message as a council member, reiterated that "fireworks are illegal in the city of Escondido" and asked the community to consider impacts on veterans, pets and people sensitive to loud noises. "They affect our neighbors, veterans, our pets, and people sensitive to loud noises," she said.

The recorded messages advised residents to celebrate safely and respectfully, leaving fireworks to trained professionals and reporting violations so police can respond.

The advisory did not specify enforcement penalties or cite the exact city ordinance; officials directed residents to call the Escondido Police non-emergency line with the exact location of any observed illegal fireworks.