Riverside Police, Riverside Fire and the city's Code Enforcement Division issued 79 citations for illegal fireworks around this year's Fourth of July holiday, a 22% increase from the 65 citations issued in 2025. Each citation carries a $1,500 fine.
The enforcement push matters to Riverside residents because of the wildfire risk that comes with hot, dry summer conditions. Fireworks are illegal within city limits year-round, and officials say a single illegal firework can ignite a vegetation fire that threatens an entire neighborhood.
To catch violations, the city used small unmanned aerial systems, or drones, in the days leading up to and on July 4th. The drones are authorized under amended sections of the Riverside Municipal Code and helped police, fire and code enforcement teams detect, record and document violations from the air.
Five enforcement teams were positioned around the city, focusing on areas with a history of illegal fireworks activity as well as locations flagged through dispatch calls and 311 complaints. When a drone recorded a violation, teams gathered video evidence to trace it back to the property where it originated. Before any citation was issued, the case was reviewed by the drone operator, a visual observer, a code enforcement officer, and often police and fire personnel as well.
Crews also responded to 62 extra patrol requests at city parks and other known hot spots, seizing a total of 51 pounds of fireworks.
Calls for service tied to fireworks dropped during the crackdown. Between June 27 and July 4, Riverside's Public Safety Communications Center fielded 452 calls related to fireworks, down from 547 over the same period in 2025. The city's 311 Call Center saw the opposite trend, logging 450 complaints compared with 431 last year, and handled 39% of all firework-related calls on July 4th alone. City officials have urged residents to route non-emergency fireworks reports through 311 rather than 911 to avoid overwhelming dispatchers.
"With the continued hot and dry conditions, we ask every member of our community to make safety their top priority," Riverside Fire Chief Steve Mckinster said in a statement. "Every firework, especially illegal fireworks, has the potential to cause life changing injuries, ignite destructive fires, and put families, homes, businesses, and first responders at risk. In Riverside, a single firework can quickly spark a vegetation fire that threatens entire neighborhoods, particularly during our hot, dry summer conditions. By making responsible choices, we can protect lives, safeguard property, and ensure everyone enjoys a safe and memorable summer."
"Drone technology has become an important public safety tool in addressing illegal fireworks," Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez said in a statement. "It allows our officers to safely identify violations, gather evidence, and hold individuals accountable, while reducing unnecessary risks to police officers, firefighters, and the community."
City officials say the enforcement approach, combining drone surveillance with ground patrols and community reporting, will continue in future years. Fireworks remain illegal in Riverside year-round. Residents can report illegal fireworks through the 311 app, the city's website, or by calling 311.
