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Fireworks Policy in Orange County <br />In 2020, 10 Orange County cities permitted the sale of safe and sane fireworks for a total of 208 <br />retail consumer fireworks stands throughout the County. <br />city <br />Quantity <br />Anaheim <br />16 <br />Buena Park <br />21 <br />Costa Mesa <br />30 <br />Fullerton <br />15 <br />Garden Grove <br />29 <br />Huntington Beach <br />15 <br />Santa Ana <br />62 <br />Stanton <br />2 <br />Villa Park <br />3 <br />Westminster <br />15 <br />Total <br />208 <br />Pandemic lockdowns and social distancing put a damper on many public celebratory traditions this <br />year. With various new safety measures in place, sales of "Safe and Sane" fireworks skyrocketed <br />as most Orange County professional displays went dark. With most local businesses, restaurants, <br />attractions, and public beaches closed this year, the pandemic did help Orange County residents to <br />become more creative in finding new ways to celebrate with drive -through and virtual gatherings. <br />While most professional displays were cancelled due to COVID-19, Orange County had no <br />shortage of bootleg firework shows. The large number of unsanctioned fireworks combined with <br />unfavorable weather conditions resulted in the worst air quality that Southern California has seen <br />for the Independence Day holiday in over a decade. <br />Orange County Sheriff's Department reported that illegal fireworks calls were up nearly 300% <br />across Orange County compared to the holiday statistics from last year. With the pandemic <br />restrictions in place, many residents may have tried to recreate their own fireworks celebrations at <br />home, which led to the influx of fireworks -related emergency calls. Newport Beach reported over <br />330 fireworks -related complaints registered to code enforcement and police this year. Orange City <br />reported 353 fireworks -related calls this year. <br />The city of Fullerton had a surge in the use of illegal fireworks for 2 months leading up to the <br />Independence Day holiday. As of July 3, 2020, the Fullerton Police Department issued at least 17 <br />citations for the use of illegal fireworks. <br />5 <br />