Is it dangerous to light fireworks during California heat wave? Store them? What experts say

As parts of California experience a sweltering heat wave with triple-digit temperatures, people are wondering if it’s dangerous to set off fireworks or store them.

State fire officials say people should be especially careful ahead of the Fourth of July weekend.

The Sacramento Bee consulted the California Department of Fire Protection and Dynamite Fireworks to get answers on fireworks safety, including how explosives should be stored and used.

Here’s what we found:

Is it dangerous to set off fireworks during heat wave?

Heat, wind and fireworks can be a dangerous combination, according to state fire officials.

Kara Garrett, Cal Fire deputy state fire marshal, told The Bee via email that the chances of sparking a wildfire with fireworks are greater during a red flag warning.

Red flag warnings mean that there are “critical weather conditions” occurring now or noon, the National Weather Service wrote on its site.

“A combination of strong winds, low relative humidity and warm temperatures can contribute to extreme fire behavior,” the weather service said.

Conditions include winds averaging at least 15 mph, humidity of 25% or less and temperatures above 75 degrees.

The weather service issued a red flag warning for the Sacramento Valley and northern Sierra Nevada foothills that will remain in effect through 8 p.m. Tuesday.

Wind speeds in the region are forecast to range from 10 to 20 mph, with gusts up to 30 mph.

Can I store fireworks in a hot car? Will they explode?

“It’s always best to err on the side of caution to prevent any accidents from occurring,” Garrett said.

That includes “not storing fireworks in a hot car,” she added.

Fireworks combust at roughly 867 degrees and should be used and stored per manufacturers’ instructions, according to Garrett.

Dynamite Fireworks, a retail and wholesale fireworks company, said a hot car will not cause damage to fireworks or cause them to explode.

“Though it isn’t best practice, you can keep your fireworks in a hot car,” Kris Zambo of Dynamite Fireworks wrote in a September 2022 article titled “Fireworks, Hot Cars, and Spontaneous Explosions.”

A hot car is not nearly warm enough to cause fireworks to combust, Zambo wrote.

The ideal place to store fireworks is in a dry storage container in cool temperatures, Dynamite Fireworks said. You should also keep them away from children.

Can I light fireworks on my lawn?

You shouldn’t.

Garrett said fireworks should be lit outside, but never near dry grass or “other flammable materials.”

Here’s a list of additional firework safety tips, courtesy of Cal Fire:

• Never store fireworks in your pocket

• Do not wear loose garments while lighting fireworks

• Do not relight or adjust fireworks

• Back up immediately after lighting fireworks

• Do not play with fireworks (pointing or throwing)

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