Visalia Fire responds to fires caused by illegal, legal fireworks

VISALIA, Calif. ( KSEE/KGPE ) – The Visalia Fire Department responded to 65 service calls during the Fourth of July, as well as battling several fires provoked by illegal fireworks within a 24-hour period, firefighters said.

Fire officials say they handled 65 service calls in a 24-hour period, with one of them involving an incident that firefighters describe as “particularly challenging”, due to it requiring eight units to contain it. It was a large 1-acre grass fire that was sparked by illegal fireworks.

Additionally, firefighters say within a two-hour period beginning at 11:47 p.m., the department responded to three working structure fires. Two were caused by legal fireworks that were improperly discarded in trash cans. The third one, on South Linda Vista Street, was caused by a malfunction.

The Visalia Fire Department urges residents to prioritize safety by refraining from the use of illegal fireworks. They also remind the public to properly discard fireworks by soaking them in water for at least 24 hours before disposal.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com | KSEE24 and CBS47.