The Kern County Fire Department says it will ramp up efforts over the Independence Day holiday to deter people from using fireworks, saying firefighters and sheriff’s deputies will be dolling out $1,500 fines for setting off pyrotechnics where they shouldn’t.

Kern County Fire Chief Brian Marshall said the message is simple.

“If you light it, we’ll write it.,” he said. “We have zero-tolerance for the use of illegal fireworks and the use of ‘safe-and-sane’ fireworks in the wildland-urban areas.”

Drake Massey, a commander with the sheriff’s office, said extra deputies will be out July 4 to enforce the prohibition.

“We will be expanding our regular patrols over the Fourth of July weekend – Friday, Saturday and Sunday – extending our day shifts and swing shifts to have maximum coverage for maximum public safety,” he said.

Supervisors beefed up a ban in February after firework use led to seven arrests last year.

– Anthony Pollreisz