We own a home and live in the City of Long Beach and we are in favor of a ban on fireworks. Over the last years, the fireworks situation has severely deteriorated.

Our reasons for wanting a ban are many, yet fire danger is the most pressing. We had first-hand experience of being in a wildfire and trying to evacuate. The experience was horrifying.

The hills around us were engulfed in flames when we were told to evacuate. People were standing on their roofs with water hoses not wanting to leave, trying to save their homes. I could hear chainsaws as the firemen were trying to create a firebreak. People were scrambling trying to save a few things. Trying to get out in the midst of chaos. Some pets and wildlife were left behind at great cost. Evacuation became impossible.

The nearest highway had only a few lanes, and cars were backed up for miles, moving at a crawl. The heat was intense. Fear and despair engulfed us. Our two young sons were crying. My husband, only a half hour away, couldn’t get in to bring our family to safety. Roadblocks were at every access point, amidst fire and emergency vehicles. The heat was so intense that trees were exploding into flames. The wind was constantly shifting, tall flames jumped the road. In the end we were blessed the fire was eventually put out and our home only suffered heavy smoke damage. Our neighbors were not so lucky and lost everything.

Now we face the same possibility here. A fire caused by fireworks could destroy our town, just as other towns on the coast have experienced. Wildfires are possible, but the fires that occur around the 4th are preventable. The City knows this. Yet they continue to put us in danger. We never thought it could happen to us and it did. We have considered moving because we aren’t being protected here.

We believe that preservation and enjoyment of our natural beauty and our safety is paramount. It could all be gone in a blink of the eye. Please vote.

JAKE and MARY ARGUELLES

Long Beach