San Luis Obispo (SLO) County residents are being offered cold, hard cash to help bust illegal fireworks dealers ahead of the Fourth of July.
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff’s Office announced Wednesday that it’s teaming up with SLO County Crime Stoppers to crack down on the possession, sale and use of illegal fireworks across the county.
Under the program, residents can earn rewards of up to $500 for tips that lead authorities to people possessing or selling illegal fireworks as officials ramp up enforcement ahead of the holiday.
“Crime Stoppers is offering a reward of up to $500 for information that leads to the identification and arrest of individuals possessing illegal fireworks with the intent to sell them,” the county sheriff’s office said.
“Illegal fireworks pose a serious threat to public safety and can lead to fires, injuries, property damage, and significant impacts on pets, livestock, veterans, and others who may be sensitive to loud explosions,” the announcement further stated.
The crackdown comes after illegal fireworks sparked a blaze that destroyed the historic Templeton Feed & Grain store during last year’s Fourth of July celebrations.
Prosecutors later charged an adult man and a 16-year-old boy, alleging the pair drove to Bakersfield to buy the illegal fireworks before bringing them back to San Luis Obispo County.
In July 2025, a massive explosion ripped through a 5,000-square-foot fireworks warehouse in Yolo County. Seven workers were killed, two others were injured and the blast ignited a 78-acre wildfire after authorities said large quantities of unregulated fireworks had been stockpiled at the site.
Anyone with information related to illegal fireworks is encouraged to contact 805-549-7867 or to call 805-781-1933 to report the use of them.