Another Fourth of July, another round of illegal fireworks—including one that dismembered a Salinas man's hand.

The man was in shock when Salinas Fire Department paramedics arrived on scene on Monday night, July 1, to reports of a person screaming near Independence Boulevard and East Boronda Road. He was missing his right hand, had shrapnel in his face and chest, and was bleeding from both of his ears. 

"Bad fireworks," was reportedly all he could utter to first responders. 

Salinas police investigated but were unable to get more information about the fireworks or the victim, who was transported to Natividad Medical Center for treatment. 

"This is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers of illegal fireworks," Salinas Fire Chief Sam Klemek said in a statement. "They're dangerous for the individual setting them off, as well as the children and other people around them. This individual's life is permanently altered because of his decision to engage in the use of illegal fireworks."

Dangerous effects like these are somewhat of a recurring feature of illegal fireworks in Monterey County. It's typical for North County Fire Protection District to respond to two or three vegetation fires per Fourth of July season that are caused by fireworks, said Chief Joel Mendoza.

"This year we've bene pretty lucky that we haven't had a vegetation fire attributed to fireworks," Mendoza says. "It's every night, right before dusk and shortly after dusk, leading up to the Fourth of July holiday, you can hear them and see them being deployed. That's in pretty much every one of our communities: Castroville, Pajaro, Las Lomas and Prunedale.

"The obvious hazard there is a lot of fuel out there that can catch fire and potentially destroy homes and hurt individuals."

House fires in Soledad and Gonzales during last year's Independence Day holiday were possibly caused by fireworks, and the Gonzales fire resulted in a death. 

Officials are relentless in their message to avoid illegal fireworks yet again this season. 

What might help is that three local cities are offering professional fireworks shows: King City's fireworks show takes place tonight, July 3. Greenfield and Salinas host shows tomorrow, on July Fourth. (Fort Hunter Liggett hosted an early fireworks show on June 29, the best attended since the tradition began during the pandemic.) 

All fireworks of any type, including safe-and-sane, are prohibited in the following jurisdictions: unincorporated Monterey County, and the cities of Monterey, Carmel, Pacific Grove, Sand City and Del Rey Oaks. State parks, including beaches, also prohibit all types of fireworks. 

The following cities permit the sale and use of so-called "safe-and-sane" fireworks: Salinas, Seaside, Marina, Greenfield, Gonzales, Soledad and King City. 

Safe-and-sane fireworks are identifiable with the State Fire Marshal's seal: 

Law enforcement officers in each jurisdiction have varying approaches to enforcing illegal fireworks. In Salinas, offenders are subject to a citation starting at $1,250 and/or arrest. As the City notes on a fireworks-specific website: "If you've previously had a citation or case dismissed, rest assured, we have a record of that interaction." (You can also report suspected illegal fireworks to the City of Salinas online or using the Salinas Connect app.) 

The Seaside Police Department has hired an outside security firm to add 12 personnel on the ground to bolster enforcement efforts and education. 

The Monterey County Sheriff's Office announced the arrest of a 19-year-old on Monday, June 24 on charges of possession of dangerous fireworks, among other charges. Deputies observed a driver speeding on Highway 1 near Marina, then called off their pursuit due to safety reasons after evasion; the vehicle was later located near Cooper Road and Highway 183. A search revealed a large quantity of illegal fireworks and more than two pounds of cannabis with supplies to package it for sale. (An evidence photo is shown below.)