safety
San Francisco supervisors back stronger penalties for illegal fireworks
By Alise Maripuu | Bay City News at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC)
· July 9, 2026
· 4 min read
San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong held a hearing Thursday to introduce an ordinance creating stronger penalties and enforcement of illegal fireworks use after the city saw numerous fires and what the San Francisco Fire Department called “significant” injuries over the Fourth of July weekend.
...
Key takeaway There were 17 grass fires, two house fires, 55 small fires like trash fires, and a self-driving car catching fire after driving over a spent fireworks box, according to SFFD Deputy Chief of Operations Pat Rabbitt.
Why this matters in The San Francisco
The proposed ordinance to strengthen punishments for illegal fireworks in San Francisco comes as a response to the city's ongoing struggles with fireworks-related incidents. With estimated property damages exceeding $500,000 from 2018 through 2023, and several reported injuries, including serious hand and eye injuries, the need for stricter enforcement is clear. Supervisor Alan Wong's legislation aims to provide the police department with the necessary tools to sanction offenders, which could help deter the use of illegal fireworks. The impact of illegal fireworks on pets and veterans, particularly those with PTSD, adds another layer of concern. As the Public Safety and Neighborhood Services Committee considers the ordinance, San Francisco residents will be watching to see if the full board will ultimately pass the measure, potentially bringing some relief to communities affected by the dangers and disruptions caused by illegal fireworks. The ordinance's fate will be decided in the coming weeks.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . The San Francisco surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) ·
Reading time: 4 min
Get more The San Francisco stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? San Francisco Supervisor Alan Wong held a hearing Thursday to introduce an ordinance creating stronger penalties and enforcement of illegal fireworks use after the city saw numerous fires and what the San Francisco Fire Department called “significant” injuries over the Fourth of July weekend.
...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC) and curated for The San Francisco readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Alise Maripuu | Bay City News at NBC Bay Area (KNTV, NBC). To learn more about how The San Francisco selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The San Francisco, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter