Due to Placer County’s vulnerability to damaging wildfires, the county has an ordinance that prohibits fireworks of all types, including those ‘safe and sane’ fireworks intended for home use that are sold at roadside stands throughout the region. Photo courtesy of Placer 

AUBURN, CA (MPG) - In an effort to reduce wildfire risk and maintain the health and safety of visitors and residents during Fourth of July celebrations, county officials are emphasizing two key rules: All fireworks are illegal in unincorporated Placer County, including the Lake Tahoe Basin, and alcohol is banned on the Truckee River from July 1-6.

Due to Placer County’s vulnerability to damaging wildfires, the county has an ordinance that prohibits fireworks of all types, including those ‘safe and sane’ fireworks intended for home use that are sold at roadside stands throughout the region.

The fireworks prohibition applies to the following:

• Rural areas not located within the boundaries of Roseville, Rocklin and Lincoln

• The town of Loomis and the cities of Auburn and Colfax

• Unincorporated communities such as Penryn, Newcastle, North Auburn, Granite Bay, Meadow Vista, Foresthill, Tahoe City and Kings Beach

Anyone caught violating the fireworks ban could be charged with a misdemeanor and face a fine of up to $2,000 per violation. Residents within the city limits of Roseville, Lincoln and Rocklin are advised to check with their local municipalities for regulations pertaining to legal fireworks use during the designated Fourth of July period.

There are a variety of professionally organized Fourth of July celebrations throughout Placer County to ensure residents have a fun, yet safe celebration. The following events feature firework displays for the community to enjoy:

• On Thursday, July 3, The Blues Monsters will perform a free concert series at the Kings Beach Recreation Area as part of the Music on the Beach concert series starting at 6:30 p.m.

• The City of Colfax hosts its annual 3rd of July celebration with music and fireworks on Thursday, July 3. Music begins at 3 p.m. Fireworks begin around 9:15 p.m.

• The Tahoe City 4th of July Celebrations: The Boom is Back celebration will run from 12 p.m. to 10 p.m. with a new family-friendly fun zone at Heritage Plaza, live music and entertainment throughout town and a sanctioned fireworks show for the Fourth of July starting at 9:30 p.m. off Commons Beach.

• In Tahoe Vista on July 4, Big Blue Adventure is holding 5K and 10K runs beginning at the North Tahoe Regional Park and finishing at the Tahoe Vista Recreation Area Beach starting at 7 a.m.

• The City of Auburn will host a community parade at 10 a.m. and a family festival starting around 2 p.m. with live music, food, games, a kids splash pad and a duck derby. A professional fireworks show is scheduled to begin around 9:30 p.m. at the Gold Country Fairgrounds.

• The City of Roseville is hosting the Run Crime Out of Roseville 5K starting at 7:15 a.m. at the Vernon Street Town Square, followed by a Fourth of July parade in downtown Roseville starting at 9 a.m. with a fireworks display @the Grounds starting between 9:15 p.m. and 9:30 p.m. Gates open at 4 p.m.

• The City of Lincoln’s Fourth of July begins with a pancake breakfast from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m., followed by a hometown parade sponsored by the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce and the Rotary Club of Lincoln. The city will have food trucks at McBean Park starting at 2 p.m. with a kids zone at 3 p.m. followed by music and a Lincoln Potters baseball game at 6 p.m. The annual fireworks display will begin immediately after the conclusion of the baseball game around 9:30 p.m. at McBean Park.

Tahoe City 4th of July Park and Ride

Residents and visitors can celebrate Independence Day stress-free by taking advantage of TART’s free park and ride service. Shuttles will run between the Northstar Castle Peak parking lot and the Tahoe City Transit Center for the 4th of July Fireworks Celebration.

• Service begins at 5:30 p.m.

• Shuttles depart every 30 minutes

• Last return shuttle leaves Tahoe City at 11 p.m. 

Starting July 1, park-and-ride service from Northstar Castle Peak parking lot to Kings Beach will be available daily. Service will operate from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturdays through Thursdays, and 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Fridays. One vehicle will run continuously during operating hours, providing reliable transportation throughout the summer season ending Aug. 31.

Alcohol banned on the Truckee River

Officials are also warning visitors that alcohol is banned on the Truckee River from July 1-6, an annual safety ban originally passed by the Board of Supervisors in 2012.

The ban prohibits possession of open alcoholic containers in and along both sides of the river, including islands and bridges, from its outfall at Lake Tahoe in Tahoe City to the upstream edge of the Alpine Meadows Bridge during the holiday week. Violations of the ban are punishable by a fine not to exceed $150 for the first violation, $500 for the second violation and $1,000 for the third violation.

The Placer County Sheriff's Office will be stepping up enforcement throughout the North Lake Tahoe Basin to ensure safety during the holiday weekend.

Signage noting the ban is posted at river access points throughout the enforcement area. Businesses along the river with a valid liquor license are excluded from the ban.

Lastly, Placer County will increase staff to monitor the county’s short-term rental complaint hotline throughout the holiday weekend. Officials are urging visitors to enjoy the area responsibly and to follow posted rules. Anyone can report short-term rental rule violations by calling Placer’s 24/7 hotline at 530-448-8003.

Learn more about the short-term rental hotline here.

Learn more about Placer’s fireworks ordinance here.