As Independence Day approaches, local fire and law enforcement officials are asking residents to help limit and report the use of illegal fireworks in Humboldt County.

Because police often receive a high volume of calls on July 4, the Arcata Fire District urges residents to only call 911 if fireworks pose an immediate threat to a person or property -- or if a fire has started. Simply hearing or seeing an illegal firework doesn’t count as an emergency, according to AFD.

Examples of illegal fireworks include sky rockets, bottle rockets, roman candles, aerial shells, firecrackers and other fireworks that explode, shoot up into the air or move on the ground in an “uncontrollable” way.

Officials in Eureka say these items should still be reported, just not to emergency lines.

The City of Eureka created a form and email specifically for reporting illegal fireworks. The form can be found here or residents can email Fireworktips@ci.eureka.ca.gov with more information.

According to CAL FIRE, an individual who tries to sell, transport, or use illegal fireworks could face fines up to $50,000 and jail time for up to one year.

“We will not be able to stop all use of illegal fireworks that occur but we hope to reduce it through enforcement and word of mouth when someone is charged and prosecuted,” said AFD Chief Sean Campbell in a statement. “We ask the community to secure their pets and only call 911 if there is immediate danger to their safety. Law enforcement will be doing their best to track down those using illegal fireworks so they can be cited, and the fireworks can be confiscated.”

The Arcata Fire District along with Humboldt County Sherriff’s Office, Humboldt County District Attorney’s Office, Arcata Police Department, State Fire Marshal’s Office, and CAL FIRE will be patrolling for illegal fireworks in McKinleyville and Arcata in areas that have seen high rates of illegal firework activity in the past.