Fireworks Prohibited this Independence Day for Unincorporated Areas of SLO county
Jarrod Zinn
OCEANO, Calif. – Some San Luis Obispo county residents will likely be having a quieter Independence Day this year.
Oceano is no longer allowing any fireworks at all.
They used to allow safe-and-sane fireworks, but a change in the source of the community’s fire and safety services means that’s no longer the case.
Oceano’s fire protection has been handled by the Oceano Community Services District (OCSD) for the last fifteen years, paying Five Cities Fire Authority for coverage.
“About 2010, a Joint Powers Authority came together and that was Oceano Community Services District and the cities of Grover Beach,” says Peter Brown, general manager for Oceano Community Services District. “And Arroyo Grande and the Five Cities Fire Authority was formed to provide fire and emergency response to those three communities.”
Up until last year, this relationship enabled city authorities to allow the use of safe and sane fireworks, but OCSD has had to divest from the community’s fire protection due to an increase in costs.
“It’s a bit of a transition right now as we figure out, you know, how this works because it defaults to the county,” says Ryan Grebe, public information officer for Cal Fire SLO. “But when an area does default to the county fire for fire protection, they do need to fall under all those fire codes and ordinances.”
As a result of this divestment, Oceano now falls under unincorporated SLO county’s jurisdiction.
Under their rules, even the use of safe and sane fireworks is prohibited.
“There will be enforcement, I think both the sheriff’s department and code enforcement officers and firefighters will be making sure that residents are complying,” says Brown. “And so we’re just hoping to get the word out and help people know that, you know, fireworks are no longer allowed in Oceano.”
The use of illegal fireworks has been and will continue to be aggressively penalized, now aided by the use of drones and other technology.
“We totally understand that that’s an inconvenience for people that have been doing it that long,” says Grebe. “But unfortunately, that’s the direction we’re heading.”
Those wishing to watch fireworks this year will need to explore alternatives in neighboring cities, who will be offering a variety of authentic fireworks displays.
The City of Santa Maria also reminds residents that the 12-hour period on the Fourth of July from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. is the only time “Safe and Sane” fireworks may be used within the City Limits. Anyone caught using any fireworks on other days will be subject to a $1,000 fine.
And if you’re up for a little traveling you might even be able to find a drone show.
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