Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich announced that fireworks-related emergency incidents and property loss in Los Angeles County was down this year compared to the previous year. In its report, the Los Angeles County Fire Department revealed a decrease in the number of structure fires, grass fires, and miscellaneous fires caused by illegal or safe and sane fireworks.   There were no injuries reported this year — four were reported in 2007.  Property loss amounts decreased from nearly $600,000 in 2007 to $100 this year. The County Fire Department’s Command and Control Facility received 2,173 calls and 1,157 required investigation and personnel dispatched.

Lower wind speeds, rain and high levels of humidity helped firefighters battling blazes across the state Sunday, though officials feared that a series of mudslides and flash floods from the precipitation could hinder their progress. (more…)