An aerial fireworks staging-area warehouse at Pyro Spectaculars by Souza in Rialto has been filling quickly as the Fourth of July fast approaches.

There were stacks of 18-inch Roman candles, blue star tails, whistle dragons and 30-shot silver willows for Redlands. And boxes of finale fireworks for Upland and Fontana.

In another warehouse, worker Marty Rosenstock wrapped foil around red sky cakes that would shoot streams of sparks 100 to 150 feet in the sky. Luz Campos built a giant US flag to be lit with red, white and blue flares at the Hollywood Bowl in the next few days.

While 50 percent of the company’s business happens in the week leading to July 4, Pyro Spectaculars President and CEO Jim Souza and his folks have worked behind the scenes for months to plan fireworks shows amid California’s severe drought and increased fire risk.

The fireworks pros and show sponsors are taking extra precautions this summer to deliver explosive entertainment the public can just sit back and enjoy, Souza said.

“We want them to not worry about the safety and the hazards. Weve taken all that into consideration so they can just have a good time,” Souza said.

The drought’s impact isn’t a concern at fireworks shows staged over large water bodies like the Pacific Ocean, lush golf courses and some desert locales, he said.

But its impact is a concern elsewhere in Inland Southern California.

There isn’t as much vegetation this year due to lack of rain, but what exists — native grasses and chaparral, or shrubs — is extra dry, as is downed brush, said Souza and Riverside fire Capt. Sean Smith.

Wildfire season has also begun. The Lake fire which broke out in the San Bernardino Mountains June 17 has drawn fire agencies, apparatus and firefighters into the mountains. .

PLANNING, PRECAUTIONS

Souza said his strategy to put on safe shows during severe drought starts with planning and training. No show sponsors, including Inland cities, have canceled this year.

His company is putting on 350 Independence Day celebration fireworks — all but 50 in California. Community shows typically cost $25,000 to $35,000.

The company is meeting earlier and at least twice with most cities or show sponsors, rather than once in May or June. That allows the fireworks entertainers to address specific hazards and make recommendations to help sponsors prepare safe sites for shows custom-designed for each location.

Pyro Spectaculars’ show producers may advise mowing grass, removing weeds or brush, controlled burns or extra watering before a show.

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