5-22-04 July 4th is a holiday that should be celebrated with pride and gusto. We are all proud to be Americans and the freedoms that this great country provides. Given that we live between two urban areas that already have safe professional fireworks with access to plenty fire units and water to douse out any inadvertent fires, we already have plenty of opportunities to see safe fireworks displays. The following letter states the concerns of fireworks in the very high fire zone that we live in
LACoFD Fire Chief P. Michael Freeman Los Angeles County Fire Department
1320 North Eastern Avenue
90063-3294 Dear Chief Freeman:
As a resident near the Acton – Agua Dulce border and down wind from potential fires created by the Airpark fireworks, I am very concerned about the proposed July 4th fireworks display to be held at the Agua Dulce Airpark (33638 Agua Dulce Canyon Road).
We are in our fifth year of drought and in the past year our area only received six inches of rainfall. Conditions will be unusually hazardous in our small local area this July 4th. Our area is classified as being a very hazardous fire risk region even in normal rainfall years. This area is such a high fire risk that a special CUP is required to build a second residential unit on a parcel that in other areas of our county would be a simple ministerial matter. This certainly is not an area where fireworks should be encouraged.
Professional fireworks can be held safely, but my concern stems not from the professionals, but the amateur illegal fireworks displays that always are attracted to an area by a professional display. The hillside within 100 feet and south of the Agua Dulce Airpark is covered with dry brush and trees. This area spells out a fire accident waiting to happen. I strongly urge your office to deny any fireworks permit applications in this area. Ron and Jamie Bird.