Portola Valley, Calif. — The Woodside Fire Protection District (WFPD) is reminding residents and visitors that all fireworks are illegal throughout its entire service area, which includes Woodside, Portola Valley, and the surrounding unincorporated communities WFPD protects. This is a zero-tolerance policy: unlike some California communities, WFPD does not permit the sale, purchase, possession, transportation, discharge, or use of any fireworks — including State Fire Marshal–approved “Safe and Sane” fireworks.

WFPD's zero-tolerance stance mirrors San Mateo County's own policy: all fireworks, including “Safe and Sane,” are also illegal in unincorporated San Mateo County, county parks, state parks, and the Crystal Springs watershed, where wildfire risk remains high even after wet winters.

Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, WFPD has partnered with the San Mateo County Sheriff's Office to increase patrols, public education, and enforcement across the district. WFPD and the Sheriff's Office are sending a unified message: no fireworks of any kind are safe or legal within WFPD's jurisdiction.

WFPD's service area sits in one of the highest wildfire-risk zones in San Mateo County. Fireworks that are legal elsewhere in California pose an unacceptable risk here — a single spark in dry grass and timber can spread rapidly, threatening homes, open space, and lives. WFPD is asking every resident to help keep the community safe by leaving fireworks out of the district entirely.

Fireworks of any kind — whether purchased locally, online, from unlicensed sellers, or shipped from out of state — are prohibited in the WFPD service area.

The Injury Toll

Fireworks are not a low-risk activity. The National Fire Protection Association estimates fireworks started roughly 34,079 fires nationwide in 2024, including 3,246 structure fires, 857 vehicle fires, 29,517 outside fires, and 459 unclassified fires — causing an estimated 59 civilian injuries and $98 million in direct property damage, with no reported civilian deaths. Structure fires made up just 11% of all fireworks fires, but accounted for 77% of civilian deaths, 83% of civilian injuries, and 88% of direct property damage.

U.S. hospital emergency rooms treated an estimated 14,700 people for fireworks-related injuries in 2024. Nearly half of these injuries were to the extremities — 35% to hands and fingers, 8% to legs, and 5% to arms — while 22% involved the head, face, and ears. Children younger than 15 accounted for 32% of fireworks-related injuries.

San Mateo County has also warned residents that children account for more than one in three fireworks-related injuries, and has raised the fine for fireworks violations countywide to $1,000 per violation. WFPD supports this county-wide stance: these are preventable injuries and preventable calls for service, placing a direct burden on local hospitals and emergency responders.

Source: National Fire Protection Association and U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, 2023–2024 Fireworks Annual Reports.

Violators may face significant fines and criminal penalties under state law and WFPD ordinance, in addition to liability for any fire suppression costs and property damage caused by illegal fireworks use.

Fireworks are part of many families' Fourth of July traditions, but in this community the risk simply outweighs the celebration. Residents are urged to report a concern before something happens rather than call 911 after. Everyone has a role to play in preventing the next major wildfire.

Enforcement & Reporting

Residents can help enforce WFPD's zero-tolerance policy:

• If you see illegal fireworks being used, call the Sheriff's Office non-emergency line: 650-363-4911, select Option 1. Neighbors are encouraged to report verified fireworks activity, which helps first responders deploy resources where they are needed most, respond to incidents and identify areas with recurring problems. 
• Emergency reporting: Call 911 for immediate threats or injuries.

Celebrate Safely

WFPD encourages residents to enjoy licensed public fireworks displays conducted by trained, CAL FIRE–licensed pyrotechnic operators rather than using any fireworks at home. Residents can also help protect their homes by clearing dry vegetation, maintaining defensible space, and staying alert to red flag warnings throughout the summer.

Learn More

For more information on WFPD's fireworks policy, defensible space requirements, and wildfire preparedness resources, visit www.woodsidefire.org or contact the WFPD Bureau of Fire Prevention and Life Safety.

To watch this year's Northern California Fireworks Safety Press Conference, visit https://vimeo.com/event/5946119.

To learn more about fireworks safety, visit readyforwildfire.org/prevent-wildfire/fireworks-safety/ or https://www.shrinerschildrens.org/en/news-and-media/news/2021/06/fourth-of-july-burn-safety.

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