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Fireworks Disaster in Yolo County? Cancel All 4th of July Fireworks in Yolo County!

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Late Tuesday evening (yesterday, July 1st) the following – minus the images – was sent to the Yolo County Board of Supervisors, the Davis City Council, Davis Fire, UCD Fir, Davis PD, Yolo County Sherriff, local and regional media, relevant Commissions and advisors, and individuals active in climate and climate equity… – TE

"Hi, I don't want to take more of your time than necessary due to the ongoing situation.
 
People and property have been harmed. People have evacuated. First responders are taking risks – YSAQMD said that firework smoke is worse than wildfire smoke. First responders are and will be exhausted. 
 
Do you think people who evacuated through toxic fireworks smoke will enjoy a show of toxic fireworks smoke?
 
We already know the problems with fireworks shows: Danger to wild animals and pets, danger to people with PTSD. Pollution for everyone: The special colors in fireworks are not made of vegetable dye. 
 
Screenshot 2025-07-02 8.51.34 AM
 
We have an alternative going forward: Drone shows – such as at Celebrate Davis this year – or how about the money is used for true patriotism: I notice that Esparto has a single public Purple Air Monitor. (Compare this to Davis). What's the state of air equity in households there? Perhaps the money used to pollute can instead be used to clean the air of wildfire fallout and prescribed burns in households there.

For now I call on all elected officials in Yolo County to immediately establish a complete ban of 4th of July fireworks shows in the County… and to not postpone them either! 

 
Thank you,
Todd Edelman,
Davis

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Comments

31 responses to “Fireworks Disaster in Yolo County? Cancel All 4th of July Fireworks in Yolo County!”

  1. Ron O

    Woodland is about to turn into its annual “war zone” (illegal fireworks throughout the city, with legal ones providing cover for them).
    These aren’t the firecrackers I grew up with – they’re aerial bombs. (Not quite at the level of something that can take out a nuclear facility in Iran, but still . . .).
    Officials (not just in Woodland) often say that the organizations which sell legal fireworks are usually non-profits, in need of money.
    That’s also the same type of justification used in regard to casinos.
    Using this type of logic, why not have these organizations sell fentanyl, prostitution, etc.?

    Reply
  2. Tuvia, etc.

    Ron: Thanks for pointing out this “cover” issue — it SEEMS likely to me that people justify their personal legal or illegal fireworks use because their city etc. is doing something both legal and unfortunately accepted by too many.
    I am not going to make any comparisons between the “safe and sane” fireworks -which are not the focus of my post – with legal gambling run by Native Americans. I am aware that many non-profits sell legal “safe and sane” fireworks, and I am curious how this all came to be. Fetanyl is legal, but abused by both the medical system and users, prostitution is overwhelming not legal…

    Reply
  3. Roberta L. Millstein

    Thanks for sharing your letter, Todd. I seem to recall that within the last few years, the Davis City Council almost eliminated fireworks for the 4th of July celebration — but then didn’t. As you point out, Celebrate Davis used a drone show, and it seemed like people enjoyed it. I mean, I get it — I loved fireworks as a kid. But now that I know that they are toxic, that they can lead to fires in dry areas like ours, that they harm both domestic and wild animals, that they are triggering for veterans, etc., with PTSD, I just can’t enjoy them in the same way. Truly, I don’t get how people can find something to be “fun” when they know that it is at someone else’s expense.

    Reply
  4. Tuvia, etc.

    Roberta. Thanks. Was there some kind of vote in the last year, i.e. just Consent – or perhaps the Council declined to visit a previous decision? My only hint of recent individual Councilmember opinion is that the City’s announcement of this year’s legal, aerial, aesthetic, toxic chemical, stun grenade clusterf*ck was made not by Mayor Vaitla, but by Councilmember Neville. She likely approves, or perhaps she is the (also) lead on the Council’s Equity, Hypocrisy and Ordinance sub-committee.

    Reply
  5. Ron O

    Todd: Yes, I meant that the “safe and sane” fireworks provide cover for the use of illegal fireworks in neighborhoods – probably more so than city firework shows.
    My guess is that the warehouse that exploded was full of “safe and sane” fireworks.
    In any case, the justification is essentially the same as the justification for the casino monopoly. (“No other way to make money” for particular/favored groups – other than to cause societal harm, apparently.)
    Truth be told, I’d lump wineries into that same “societal harm” category as well (but the owners don’t enjoy a monopoly, in that case). And unless you’re hit by a drunk driver, you generally don’t even notice the harm it’s causing if you don’t personally partake of it. (Same with being addicted to gambling – a serious problem for those “under the influence” of it.)
    But with fireworks, it absolutely causes harm to pets, causes fires, etc. (Fireworks are actually a celebration of war – which is why they’re encouraged on “Independence Day”.)
    I’d define societal harm as the harm outweighing the benefit.

    Reply
  6. Roberta L. Millstein

    Todd, I am not aware of a CC vote about fireworks in the last year, although perhaps I missed it. I was referring to an earlier vote.

    Reply
  7. Tuvia, etc.

    Ron: Agreed!! We need culturally, ecologically and socially-sustainable business – or just less business overall – to replace the war industry, the gambling industry, a piece of the pharmaceutical industry, the narcissistic independence-celebration industry…

    Reply
  8. Tuvia, etc.

    Roberta: About a “CC vote”, at the very least they approved expenditures in Consent to e.g. Sacramento Valley Aerial Pollution Partners for this year’s strangulation…

    Reply
  9. Roberta L. Millstein

    I just saw this: “Yuba-Sutter said the fireworks that were destroyed were the ones intended for their Fourth of July show. They said they cannot confirm whether the fireworks portion of the celebration will be canceled but said they are actively working on a backup plan.”
    https://www.kcra.com/article/fireworks-explosion-esparto-yolo-county-fire/65277064
    So we can say definitively that the policies of local municipalities, their decisions to have fireworks shows, are the source of the problem. Well, “a” source, anyway.

    Reply
  10. Alan C. Miller

    I fully agree.
    We all know it is just a matter of time before Davis goes to all-drone shows. If we wanted to, Davis could promote itself and be a national leader on drone shows and actually make a difference in the world on something.

    Reply
  11. Tuvia, etc.

    Roberta: re: “Yuba-Sutter”… thanks, I appreciate that, I didn’t actual consider type and intention of what blew and burned up.
    Argh! It seems like Yuba and Sutter authorties are likely looking for a replacement supply of projectiles for the fireworks mercenaries and their art howitzers already hired for their regional event or are in any case not interested in the perspective I present in regards to cancellation… and by the way it’s very likely that Yuba and/or Sutter emergency services provided mutual aid for the fire….
    An incendiary bonus referencing my suggested fake company above and this new information is that the company involved here is called… Devastating Pyrotechnics.

    Reply
  12. darell

    Thank you for bringing up the discussion, as we do just like clockwork every year. As I like to impress upon council and the tax-payers and voters…. NOW is the time to make the decision to stop the madness. Too late for this year, but the contract for NEXT year will likely be made in the very near future. The cycle has to stop NOW, a year before the next opportunity.
    And it can be done quietly. It isn’t like fireworks are a “right” that our taxpayers deserve from the general fund. There is no reason to announce “We will be instituting an Independence Day Celebration Diet! We will cancel the glorious fireworks show due to all the complaints from the “sensitive” community!”
    No…. just stop the fireworks without any messaging. And the announcement can be “Come to the park and enjoy free ice cream!” (and live performances and/or any other appropriate, happy way to spend all that money that stresses and kills fewer animals and people).

    Reply
  13. Tuvia, etc

    Fireworks for birthday of San Joaquin Valley town cause brush fire: https://www.kcra.com/article/lathrop-fireworks-show-fire/65280525

    Reply
  14. Darell

    Honorable Council Members and staff,
    It is that time of year again for me to respectfully ask that we permanently eliminate the use of fireworks in Davis.
    Now is the time to NOT enter into another contract to convert our tax money into terrifying explosions and toxic smoke in 2022 2023 2024 2025 2026* and beyond. (*please don’t make me cross out another and send this again next year)
    It is a disservice to our community to purposefully add air and noise pollution, litter and fire danger. Better, cleaner, safer ways to spend public funds include: Dancing, drone shows, musical performances or just free drinks and ice cream. How can we declare a climate emergency and then pay money to purposefully pollute the air merely for the entertainment of a few? We should not be celebrating a prettied-up depiction of war when there are genuine bombs currently “bursting in air” and killing people in real conflicts, using American-made bombs. The noise and pollution from a fireworks show is terrifying and deadly for the animals that live with us, and for wildlife. Your choice of patriotic entertainment is not appropriate in this era and this climate and with the knowledge we have.
    Other communities are managing to move away from this polluting spectacle. I’m running out of patience with the “other forms of entertainment are more expensive” mantra. Because supplying a full contingent of security and emergency personnel, plus the money for fireworks is also “more expensive” than not doing the fireworks show. But somehow, doing this destructive thing is deemed an appropriate use of sparse (we’re constantly told) tax money.
    Offer free (locally-made) ice cream. Offer free (local) live musical performances. Offer daylight fun that doesn’t terrify, injure and kill other things. Please spend my tax money more responsibly in a way that terrifies nobody.
    A final ask: Refrain from sending out patronizing official notices that seek to instruct me on how to protect my dog from this city-sponsored terrorism. There is no way to prevent her reaction: trembling, drooling and fearing for her life. I know how to take care of my dog. And there is no place in my home where she feels safe when the fireworks go off. She is terrified of the feel of them, as well as the sound.
    Please, let’s find an appropriate way for Davis to Celebrate our country’s independence next year. Burning up money and resources to celebrate war and endangering everybody is not the way.

    Reply
  15. Tuvia, etc

    Screenshot of sensitive and timely social media post from Yolo Solano Air Quality Management District (Lucas Frerichs is the Board Chair):
    https://photos.app.goo.gl/4soGz5PRVNA8Ds977

    Reply
  16. Roberta L. Millstein

    Excellent letter, Darell, thank you.

    Reply
  17. Roberta L. Millstein

    Darell, maybe we should make your letter a separate post (e.g., I could set it to post tomorrow morning?)

    Reply
  18. darell

    So great.
    Asking US to celebrate safely and responsibly…. while the county and city are fine with the opposite.
    “consider” skipping the illegal fireworks, and attending the official act of terrorism. Because the public shows know how to pollute safely and responsibly!
    … this will “help reduce the toxic air pollution.”
    Outstanding. Only the amount of toxic air pollution that the public shows create are appropriate and “safe.” If you do it illegally at home, then we have a problem.

    Reply
  19. Ron O

    For those who want to see the “early” fireworks display:
    https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/02/us/video/fireworks-warehouse-explosion-california-ldn-digvid

    Reply
  20. darell

    Tanks, Roberta. I’m happy to make mine a stand-alone post. I was just worried that it would be redundant. But the more exposure, the better, IMO. I sent that exact letter to council, so it can be titled “open letter” or something. (I note that the strike-through font doesn’t translate to this medium…. all my years of sending this same message were struck out in the letter that I sent and tried to post).
    And then next winter, we can post the same fireplace smoke letter! And on and on we go….

    Reply
  21. Ron O

    Make of this what you will, but The Chronicle is reporting seven people “missing” in the wake of the fireworks explosion.
    Regardless, it does seem that a couple of people were confirmed as “injured”.
    https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/7-missing-northern-california-fireworks-explosion-20416951.php

    Reply
  22. Tuvia, etc

    Earlier this afternoon both Winters and Woodland stated on their social media that their shows will continue.
    Winters said that “their supply of fireworks was unaffected”.

    Reply
  23. Tara

    I support the switch from toxic and dangerous fireworks to drones. Can we start a petition or something more official than this?

    Reply
  24. Tuvia, etc

    Earlier this afternoon Dixon, Winters and Woodland stated on their social media that their shows will continue. Winters said that “their supply of fireworks was unaffected”; Dixon made a similar comment.

    Reply
  25. Ron O

    This is one area where Davis can, and should be “different” than the surrounding communities.
    Frog tunnel type-stuff (in a good way).
    Plus, Davis doesn’t have any kids anymore regardless, or so we’re told. (So you might not even need the “free ice cream”.)
    Plus, aren’t we constantly told that this country shouldn’t be celebrating stealing the land from the native tribes (or in California and the West’s case), getting it from Mexico (after they obtained it from Spain)?
    Maybe we should just celebrate by dumping tea in Boston’s harbor? (Honestly, I never found much inspiration in a tax revolt some 250 years ago.) At this point, I might even kneel during the national anthem at sporting events, myself – mostly because it’s so absurd to play it there in the first place.

    Reply
  26. Alan C. Miller

    Thanks Yuba-Sutter, for storing your fireworks in Yolo County 😦
    There was a City Council vote last year, early in 2024, leading up to the celebrations upcoming. Best of memory on all of the following: It was decided that the celebration of Davis or whatever that is called would not have fireworks going forward (possibly did in 2024 as was already ordered?). This was a huge win in my view, as unlike the 4th people often didn’t know to put their dogs in and every year people lost dogs that sometimes would jump a fence to escape and run.
    Also there were Council members who were agains continuing with the 4th. I believe Bapu was very much against fireworks, and as I recall I was surprised that Will Arnold spoke of wanting to move on from fireworks. If either of these are wrong welcome to correct. As I often didn’t/don’t see eye to eye with either on many issues I was happy/surprised at the support to move in that direction so I’m pretty sure this is correct.

    Reply
  27. Alan C. Miller

    Yes on the standalone EXCELLENT letter from DDD. Also send to “the other Davis medias” & Nextdoor for wider distribution if so inclined.

    Reply
  28. Alan C. Miller

    ChatGPT says (unconfirmed, but showing SFChron as source):
    Confirmed dead 1 person
    Confirmed injured At least 2 people
    Missing persons 7 individuals unaccounted for
    No updates so far on the missing persons—whether they’re injured, trapped, or safe elsewhere.

    Reply
  29. Tuvia, etc

    ACM: at least a half dozen fireworks events are canceled due to the same supplier problem, all over the region. From Cloverdale to St. Helena to Lodi and apparently even San Jose.
    Social media posts from these places show sympathy for the victims of the fire, state that the shows aren’t happening because of supply problems and then generally emphasize other nice things that you could do at these events ☺️.
    Esparto is the warehouse, which means that all of this stuff is most likely being trucked in from the Port of Oakland, stored there and then distributed with trucks all over the region.
    As of this moment, there’s still nothing on City of Davis social media about things going forward or not.
    Assuming the show here goes forward, we can assume that while there might not be a lack of decorative, percussive toxic ordinance… there is a lack of official empathy.

    Reply
  30. Ron O

    Sounds like the fireworks explosion might be more-reflective of “actual” wars than it first appeared.

    Reply
  31. Roberta L. Millstein

    Good point, Todd. Where is Davis’s show of sympathy/empathy for our neighbors? Where is the respect? No, we just blither on like nothing has happened.

    Reply

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