Join our movement to stop illegal fireworks in our community of escondido
Other cities around us have increased fines (raising city revenue) while using drones to identify violators.
The Cause
Our MISSION
This group was formed 12/26/24 to help all of us who are fed up with the fire danger and the disruption to our lives by illegal fireworks in our neighborhoods on random days of the week and around holiday times. The map here (updated Jan. 3, 2026) shows that the vast majority of fireworks reports occur in the eastern half of Escondido.
We have created a proposal to 1) increase the fines for personal fireworks use and 2) to use drones already owned by the city to identify violators, but we need the city council to put it on the agenda. Other towns and cities in Southern California have already enacted these solutions.
As OF Jan. 2026: Mayor White will present a new strategy
Escondido officials, including the mayor, city manager, and City Council members, have acknowledged the severity of the problem. In a recent meeting with the mayor, representatives from the Illegal Fireworks Group learned that a comprehensive enforcement strategy is expected to be on the city’s upcoming work plan.
What can you do to help?
Help us by contacting city officials to get our fireworks proposal on the City Council Agenda!
We have a proposal ready, and the support of the Escondido Fire Department, to raise fines to $1,500 (as a real deterrent) and to use drones already owned by the city to identify and video violators to aid in prosecutions. The revenue from the fines can help offset drone operation costs and make our city safer, and we can all look forward to holidays again!