Defusing Danger: Las Vegas Police Seize Record-Breaking Amounts of Illegal Fireworks Before Fourth of July

The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said it will have to order more storage containers for the "overwhelming amount of fireworks" confiscated recently.

Police have already filled two 30-foot containers with illegal fireworks confiscated since the enforcement action began in preparation for the July Fourth holiday. The department ordered more containers they "expect to fill."

The police department said it has already surpassed the number of citations and the amount of fireworks confiscated last year.

"The most common excuse we hear is: 'We didn't know these fireworks were illegal'," police said. "There are reader signs posted at the entrances and exits of Clark County warning people that transporting and possessing illegal fireworks in our county is against the law."

Allowable fireworks are classified 1.4G consumer fireworks, which are limited in size and weight, and typically include smaller ground-effects, smoke balls, fountains, Roman candles and sparklers.

Fines start at $500 plus disposal costs for a first violation involving less than 100 pounds of illegal fireworks.

Fines can reach up to $10,000 plus disposal costs for greater quantities of illegal fireworks.

Independence Day fireworks have posed additional dangers in recent years as weather conditions, particularly in the western U.S., increase the risk of sparking wildfires.

Never miss a story — sign up for the Front Page Detectives newsletter. Be on the scene the moment news breaks.

"Best advice: Purchase only SAFE and SANE fireworks available throughout Clark County," police said. "Don't waste your time and money with illegal fireworks, as our officers are watching for people breaking the law."

TMX contributed to this report.