July 4th Fireworks Patrol
Keeping the Puente Hills Safe: Community Patrols and Fireworks Prevention on July 4th
This past Independence Day, the Puente Hills Habitat Preservation Authority (Habitat Authority) once again took proactive action to protect our treasured hills and open spaces from wildfire risk and illegal fireworks activity.
For over 20 years, the Habitat Authority has organized a Fireworks Static Patrol on the evening of July 4th and partnered with local jurisdictions on outreach and patrol efforts. Twenty volunteers—trained and coordinated by the Authority—were stationed at popular access points throughout the Preserve in La Habra Heights, Whittier and Hacienda Heights from 7pm to 10pm, serving as extra eyes and ears to spot and report any illegal fireworks or suspicious activity, educate the public, and discourage unauthorized access after dark. This proactive presence has become a trusted tradition, helping to deter dangerous behavior and ensure a rapid response from emergency services if needed. Rangers from the Habitat Authority—contracted through the Mountains Recreation and Conservation Authority—actively patrolled the Preserve in trucks equipped with water, with staff and other MRCA trained firefighters lending additional patrol support. Together, they worked beyond midnight and collaborated with local fire and law enforcement agencies to keep a close watch over the hills. The City of La Habra Heights and its local Fire Watch group are deeply committed to fire safety, and we greatly value the opportunity to collaborate with them in these important efforts.
Residents from all over were encouraged to join the effort, and all patrol members received guidance on how to safely observe and report without putting themselves in harm’s way. These efforts are part of a broader, multi-agency strategy that includes annual defensible space clearance, coordinated emergency response planning, and ongoing public education to keep both the Preserve and surrounding neighborhoods safe from wildfire threats. These combined efforts reflect our community’s shared commitment to safeguarding the Puente Hills’ natural beauty and the safety of our neighborhoods. The Habitat Authority extends its gratitude to all volunteers and partners who helped make this year’s Fourth of July celebration a safe and peaceful event for everyone.
For more information about the Habitat Authority’s wildfire preparedness efforts, visit www.https://www.habitatauthority.org/puente-hills-preserve-management/wildfire-preparedness/
Click here for the article in the Heights Life, August 2025.
