City of Phoenix officials and regional partners on a holiday safety outreach event urged residents to follow safety rules for fireworks and Christmas trees and highlighted air-quality risks from consumer fireworks.

Assistant Fire Marshal Eric Williams of the Phoenix Fire Department led the safety briefing, urging a simple disposal step: "All used fireworks should be soaked overnight in a bucket of water outside before being placed in trash," he said. Williams described surprise inspections of sales sites and said the department's combined outreach, inspection and enforcement effort has helped reduce fireworks-related fires and injuries; he stated the task force has seen a 49% reduction in such incidents over the last two years but did not present supporting data at the event.

Why it matters: Illegal or improperly handled fireworks are a leading cause of holiday fires and injuries, and dry, neglected Christmas trees can ignite rapidly. The city launched phoenix.gov/celebratesafely to centralize guidance and legal information ahead of New Year's Eve.

Lieutenant Brian Rimza of the Phoenix Police Department's Violent Crimes Bureau emphasized legal consequences and staffing plans. "Celebratory gunfire is illegal and a felony, punishable by up to 5 years in prison," Rimza said, citing enforcement under Shannon's Law. He outlined legal fireworks dates used locally: sales Dec. 10–Jan. 3 and permissible use Dec. 26–Jan. 4, and asked residents to call 911 for active emergencies and (602) 262-6151 for nonemergency fireworks complaints.

Maricopa Association of Governments Director of Environmental Planning Matthew Poppin highlighted air-quality impacts, saying the region experienced hazardous air on Jan. 1 after heavy consumer-fireworks use. "Fine particulate matter from consumer fireworks can get into your lungs and bloodstream," Poppin said, adding that fireworks contain metals that produce color but can be toxic to breathe. He framed the campaign's primary success measure as increased awareness and voluntary behavior change to protect vulnerable groups such as people with respiratory conditions.

Demonstrations and disposal options: Phoenix Fire Captain DJ Lee narrated live demonstrations to show how aerial or illegal fireworks can explode unpredictably and how quickly a dry tree can ignite. The city's Public Works representative said free drop-off and composting for natural Christmas trees and wreaths will be available from December 26 through January 9 at 16 city parks and some rental locations; residents must remove lights, tinsel, ornaments and flocking before composting. The official noted alternatives for trees that cannot be composted, including transfer stations and the city's bulk-trash-by-appointment system.

No formal votes or regulatory changes were taken at the event. Officials said spokespeople and partner agencies would be available for one-on-one interviews after the demonstrations and directed residents to phoenix.gov/celebratesafely for details.