Fireworks Safety Information for Independence Day

San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Public Safety teams remind residents and visitors that all fireworks (including those branded as "Safe and Sane") are illegal in San Francisco.

MUNICIPAL CODE SEC. 1290. DISCHARGE OF FIREWORKS IS PROHIBITED.

No person or persons, firm, company, corporation, or association shall fire or discharge any fireworks of any kind or description within the limits of the City and County of San Francisco. Provided, however, that public displays of fireworks may be given with the jointly written consent of the Fire Marshal and the Chief of Police.

Important warnings about fireworks:

Every year, over 12,000 fireworks-related injuries, with half involving children, are treated in hospital emergency rooms. Possession of fireworks such as skyrockets, bottle rockets, Roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers, and other types that explode, launch into the air, or move uncontrollably on the ground can result in a citation or arrest.

• More than 25% of the children injured by fireworks are innocent bystanders.
• Something as simple as a sparkler burns at temperatures up to 1,800 degrees! That's hot enough to melt gold.
• Firework incidents lead to millions of dollars in annual property loss, including vegetation fires that threaten homes and communities.

Information on Reporting Noise:

We are aware of the noise generated by fireworks and its impact on many in our communities. Public Safety teams will be in the field to mitigate these complaints. If you hear fireworks, we hear them too. If you see fireworks, we see them too. Please call 911 only if the situation poses a life-threatening or immediate safety emergency. Please only call 311 if you know the exact address of the fireworks-producing disturbance.

Information on Reporting Fireworks Use:

San Francisco's public safety partners strongly urge residents to take steps to keep themselves and their neighborhoods safe this year. "If you see something, say something." In San Francisco, report illegal fireworks only if you can identify the person lighting them, provide a description, and give an exact location or address. If you see fireworks, we see them too. Please call 911 only if the situation poses a life-threatening or immediate safety emergency. Please call 311 only if you know the exact address of the fireworks-producing disturbance.

Information on Response to Emergencies:

Public safety agencies prioritize all 911 and non-emergency calls based on the severity of the incident. During holidays, when fireworks are prevalent, public safety dispatchers must triage calls to determine the appropriate response using available resources. The police department may not be able to respond to every firework-related call unless there are fires or injuries involved. Stay informed and do your part to help make the 4th of July enjoyable for everyone. Please keep 911 available for individuals experiencing police, fire, or medical emergencies.

San Francisco's Independence Day Fireworks Display:

The City and County of San Francisco will host an Independence Day fireworks show along the San Francisco waterfront on Thursday, July 4, 2025, beginning at 9:30 p.m. Fireworks can be viewed from various vantage points along the waterfront.

Treasure Island Access:

When traveling to Treasure and Yerba Buena Islands for the July 4 fireworks, the Treasure Island Development Authority encourages the public to utilize the Muni 25 bus, the Treasure Island ferry service, a taxi, or rideshare options. The ferry service to Treasure Island departs from San Francisco at Gate B of the Ferry Building. Visit https://tisf.com/ferry-service

Transit:

We encourage the use of public transportation options, such as SFMTA, BART, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, or your preferred ride-sharing service. If you are driving, please plan to arrive with sufficient time to spare and anticipate potential delays when leaving.

AlertSF:

AlertSF is a notification system that uses text, email, and phone calls to keep San Francisco's residents and visitors informed. To sign up for emergency alerts in San Francisco, text your zip code to 888 777 or visit www.alertsf.org.

Safety resources:

https://www.nsc.org/home-safety/tools-resources/seasonal-safety/summer/fireworks

https://www.cpsc.gov/Safety-Education/Safety-Education-Centers/Fireworks

https://sf-fire.org/safety-resources-and-information/fireworks-safety

Partner Agency Public Information Officer Contact Information:

San Francisco Department of Emergency Management PIO contact: dempress@sfgov.org

San Francisco Police Department PIO contact: SFPD Media Relations Unit 1-415-837-7395 or SFPDMediaRelations@sfgov.org

San Francisco Port Authority media@sfport.com