Living in Rubidoux Heights, every Fourth of July is filled with anxiety and dread rather than celebration and joy. Our community faces an annual threat as fireworks set off from Mt Rubidoux put our homes at constant risk of fire. My family and neighbors find ourselves spending the night running sprinklers and using hoses, ready to extinguish any falling embers that might ignite our roofs or gardens. This has also made obtaining homeowner's insurance a difficult and costly endeavor.

The use of Mt Rubidoux for celebrating Independence Day is a tradition that endangers our community and diverts critical firefighting and emergency resources from where they might be needed elsewhere. According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks cause an average of 19,500 reported fires annually. These statistics highlight how dangerous this "celebration" can become, especially in areas with dry climates like ours.

Riverside is a vibrant city that deserves a safe and inclusive celebration. By relocating the fireworks to a safer location, we can protect our homes, our community, and our natural treasure, Mt Rubidoux. Other viable locations could include open spaces like the Riverside County Fairgrounds or sports stadiums which can accommodate festive displays without the risk of fire hazards.

We urge the city officials to take a proactive approach in safeguarding our community by moving the Fourth of July celebrations to a location that doesn't put lives and property at risk. This is not just about preserving a tradition; it's about evolving our celebrations to ensure safety for all residents in Riverside.

Sign this petition to demand a safer, more responsible celebration of Independence Day in Riverside.