• The Publisher’s Notebook
•
Safety First on the Fourth in Malibu
Despite some Southland cities’
unwillingness to crack down on local groups that are so
short-sighted as to be willing to put lives and property in
danger by continuing to sell the socalled, and anything but,
safe-and-sane fireworks, clearer heads increasingly
prevail. Until these sales are completely curbed, however, for
the few dollars that could just as easily be raised other ways,
the Fourth of July weekend will result in numerous
injuries to people and animals and the potential threat of
starting a major conflagration when close to 1500 uncontained
wildfires rage throughout the rest of the state. Any adverse
effects from the use of these “unsafe-and-insane”
fireworks rest squarely on the shoulders of the organizations
that persist in this irresponsibility.
Fireworks of any kind, even seemingly
innocuous ones, are illegal in the City of Malibu and
unincorporated Malibu. This ban covers all public property,
including the beaches, as well as all private property. The
fire danger is currently so high that officials are urging that
incidents of fireworks use be reported to law enforcement
authorities. Because of the tinder dry conditions, all other
outdoor fires, such as barbecues, should also be closely
monitored at all times, even if wind conditions remain
peaceful.
Those needing pyrotechnic fixes can find
them in the form of offshore fireworks displays set for Friday.
Permits have been issued for two 9 p.m. shows—one from a
barge off the Malibu Colony, the other off 27900 Pacific Coast
Highway. A third may yet be slated for the west end. Whether or
not your Fourth of July comes with the noise, smoke and smell
of explosives, have a wonderful holiday.
