Over 100K Pounds of Illegal Fireworks Confiscated in Commerce, CA, Raid

May 22, 2025

Since January, California has experienced more than $4 million in property loss from fireworks-related fires.

More than 100,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were confiscated during a raid in Commerce Wednesday afternoon.

"This is definitely one of the largest seizures that California has seen of fireworks," CAL FIRE Deputy State Fire Marshal Kara Garrett told KABC.

The owner at the center of the investigation is a licensed fireworks importer/exporter, but the explosives weren't stored properly.

"That's a lot of risk just in a smaller condensed area. So one false move, it could just set the whole thing off. It's very dangerous."

Since January, the state has experienced more than $4 million in property loss from fireworks-caused fires.

"Fireworks are illegal in parts of California due to the significant risk they pose, as they cause severe injuries and millions of dollars in property damage each year. Large grass crops and dry vegetation increase the threat of devastating fires throughout all of California," according to a fire department statement.

About the Author

Susan Nicol | News Editor

Susan Nicol is the news editor for Firehouse.com. She is a life member and active with the Brunswick Volunteer Ambulance & Rescue Company, Oxford Fire Company and Brunswick Vol. Fire Co. Susie has been an EMT in Maryland since 1976. Susie is vice-president of the Frederick County Fire/Rescue Museum. She is on the executive committee of Frederick County Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association. She also is part of the Maryland Institute for Emergency Medical Services Systems (MIEMSS) Region II EMS Council. Susie is a board member of the American Trauma Society, Maryland Division. Prior to joining the Firehouse team, she was a staff writer for The Frederick News-Post, covering fire, law enforcement, court and legislative issues.