BajaNomad - Fireworks in S.F.

Fireworks in S.F.

Anonymous - 11-1-2003 at 10:53 AM

Next weekend I'll be traveling thru Mexicalli to San Felipe with a group of 11 year old Pyrotechnique specialists. Any suggestions on places to purchase fireworks either in town or along the way?
Thanks

David K - 11-1-2003 at 12:36 PM

Before reaching the long curve where the highway bends east into town, there is a well signed fireworks sales place, on the left. In town, we go to one of the curio shops on the main drag where the owner will take us into the 'back room' for fireworks... as the new town jefe doesn't like them being sold in town, we were told.

As your 'experts' are so young, do realize these fireworks are made in Mexico or Communist China and are NOT the 'safe and sane' fireworks sold in some U.S. areas.

[Edited on 11-1-2003 by David K]

fireworks

Ski Baja - 11-1-2003 at 01:38 PM

very very careful. I've seen so many incidents that we don't even get them anymore.

Dave - 11-1-2003 at 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by elgatoloco
It is illegal (and ill advised) to discharge fireworks within 100 meters of a structure.

Be careful and have fun.

It is illegal ANYWHERE without proper permits. Rarely enforced, except by me. :mad:

Save your money

Debra - 11-1-2003 at 08:39 PM

and just show up at Camp Gecko at BOLA on New Year! A certain someone, (who shall remain 'nameless', well, some of us call him 'names' on occasion

) puts on a better show than most small towns in the States

I'm with Dave and the others! Please be CAREFUL! Those Mexican fireworks don't always go where there are supposed to. :no:

[Edited on 11-2-2003 by Debra]

elgatoloco - 11-1-2003 at 09:25 PM

DAVE

Thank you for the clarification!! I like that law better!!! In our little 'hood' we have had several house fires over the years and fireworks are NOT allowed. It's safer that way.

IMHO

fireworks

4baja - 11-3-2003 at 07:35 AM

just before town theres a moble home on the east side and they have the best selection that i've ever seen. they allso give you the mexico permits allowing you to have them under a cetain amount of kilos. they have the morters that they fire of the piers around here on the4th of july and rockets that would blow your mind. for those of you who no me i dont go light on the types of fireworks i buy, only the best. :fire:

David K - 11-3-2003 at 08:14 AM

Listen to 4Baja, he speaks the truth! He put on quite a show on July 4th, at Camp Gecko (Bahia de los Angeles). He is talking about the same place I described, above.

Dave - 11-3-2003 at 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 4baja
they allso give you the mexico permits allowing you to have them under a cetain amount of kilos.

Very funny. They are probably copies of the permits THEY need to sell them. I don't know of any business that can issue permits, only government entities. In any event even if you could get permits to HAVE them, discharging them is another issue. I would love to see a copy of this "permit".

I will type up an official looking permit for you, good anywhere in Mexico.

" The bearer is entitled to have and discharge these fireworks. Just as long as I don't hear them." :lol:

David K - 11-3-2003 at 08:41 AM

That's funny and probably true, Dave! I wonder if the places that rent ATVs on the beach have simular permits allowing beach riding!!! Have a great day...

Be very very careful with Mexican fire works

Bob H - 11-3-2003 at 09:41 AM

... I've seen fingers burned and blown off more than twice in Baja! Fast fuses on some of these...
Bob H

Dave - 11-3-2003 at 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
That's funny and probably true, Dave! I wonder if the places that rent ATVs on the beach have simular permits allowing beach riding!!! Have a great day...

This sounds like the making of another thread. Care to joust? Wait....haven't we done this before? :lol:

David K - 11-3-2003 at 08:23 PM

Winner of the joust buys the pastrami sandwich? :light:

4baja - 11-3-2003 at 09:19 PM

the permit looked official and was not a copy, next time i'm down that way i'll get another permit and send it to anyone who has doughts. i don't really care as i buy them regardless and i know that the kids really enjoy them and so do i. as for rideing quads on the beach well dave you know my position on that and it only becomes a issue when the americans move down to the beaches and throw there american issues out there and try to close the beaches down to moterized vehicals. any holiday you see the locals down there rideing whatever they own and i'm fine with that . its there country not ours. hope to see you over the holidays david k as we'll be there thanks giving and xmas.

Dave - 11-4-2003 at 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 4baja
i don't really care as i buy them regardless...

[Do you take this position regarding any law you happen not to agree with or just fireworks discharge and operating vehicles on the beach? Prisons are full of people (especially gringos in Mexican prisons)who treat laws as suggestions rather than rules.]

...... as for rideing quads on the beach....... it only becomes a issue when the americans move down to the beaches and throw there american issues out there and try to close the beaches down to moterized vehicals.

[Wrong. I know Mexicans who are just as adamantly opposed to this as SOME gringos are.]

......any holiday you see the locals down there rideing whatever they own and i'm fine with that . its there country not ours......

[ Right, and its THEIR law. The fact that the locals (nationals) disrespect it doesn't give you or I license to do the same, especially since if caught a Mexican would probably NOT face the same penalty (vehicle confiscation) that a gringo would. I have witnessed this happening.]

Dave - 11-4-2003 at 10:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K
Winner of the joust buys the pastrami sandwich? :light:

OK fire away, except the loser buys the beer at TJ brewery. Win or lose I have already bought pastrami. My job is to SELL it. :lol:

Wrecks n Burned body parts

Ski Baja - 11-4-2003 at 07:11 PM

Before this turns into an argument, Anonymous and 4Baja. It is about safety. In my eight years of living on this beach, I have seen the worst fireworks accidents happen to non drunk people. Because of the fireworks.
As far as the ATV's/ATC's, I have 2. And I don't race them anymore but I certainly used to. And, I have wrecked many times. I have been lucky as far as damages. On the other hand, I have seen 2 people run over on our beach, 3 go off the bluff, one landing on someone on the beach, 2 dogs get run over which sent the riders flying, and countless other accidents in other areas.
All the above are very fun things to do. But, if you look at the averages of accidents caused by both from experience, you begin to think twice about exposing your children to these things.
And, one of my favorite things to do is ride on a remote beach somewhere. The key is, remote.

Bajabus - 11-5-2003 at 08:11 AM

As a lic. professional Pyro I can state with confidence that there is a safe way to do it and an unsafe way to do it.

Our motto is an accident will happen but if you are prepared for it no personal or property losses will occur.

Make it a priority to learn safety and follow it strickly.

Just because there are a bunch of idiots out there dosen't mean we all have to be penalized.

As for driving on our section of beach (turtles nest here). If you are Mexican I feel I don't have a right to enforce the law, it's up to your peers. But if you are a foreigner you will get a warning and then likely find yourself with flat tires if you try it again.

Dave - 11-5-2003 at 11:24 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by David K

Beach Driving:

IMHO, OKAY IF: Deserted beach, not near any towns, no turtle eggs, done for years, why not? In other words, what is the no beach driving law for?: protecting people and animals from vehicles, right? If there are no people or animals, then no reason not to drive on beach (to reach fishing spot, camp site, shell collecting... no wait shell collecting is illegal also)!

What else is there to live for if we can't drive on deserted beaches? :?:

[We can argue intent until the cows come home. I suspect it is more about paranoia over invasion and military superiority than safety. In any case it is the LAW. When people use intent as an excuse for disregarding law anarchy is the result.]

Fireworks: I don't know... they are fun and dangerous (part of the fun)... I can live without them... But, really enjoyed them as a kid, as mine do... traditions are hard to change. Fireworks of any kind are not allowed in San Diego County, so it is a thrill to be able to play with them in Mexico...

[And why are there laws against fireworks in SD County? Do you think the ecosystem magically changes when you cross the border? For one who professes a love for Baja your statement "it is a thrill to play with them in Mexico is irresponsible.]

Is Mexico really better adopting all the U.S. rules, or staying different and thus attractive to a certain group of vacationers who go to Mexico becaue it is more like America was 40 years ago... Before lawyers caused us to lose all personal responsibilty for our own actions and to blame/ sue everyone else...

[Mexico already has adopted most of the rules you disagree with. The "certain group of vacationers" you defend are either unaware, don't care or both. They treat Mexico as their personal "Sin City".

Lawyers are not responsible for "loss of personal responsibility". WE are.]

A final comment on deserted beaches:

Your riding your ATV and my strolling peacefully on them is NOT compatible. My right to do so is protected by law, yours is not. Your position is indefensible. I'm ready for that beer now. :lol:

Dave - 11-5-2003 at 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Bajabus
But if you are a foreigner you will get a warning and then likely find yourself with flat tires if you try it again.

How do you get them to stop long enough? You must be one hell of a shot! :wow:

Bajabus - 11-5-2003 at 11:48 AM

I know where they live and camp.

Bajabus - 11-5-2003 at 08:22 PM

If I were a judge I would think Dave won.

Sorry David K

Fireworks

Bob H - 11-6-2003 at 08:41 AM

I hate what the sound of fireworks does to my poor little dog! And most others too.
:fire:

Fireworks

Ski Baja - 11-6-2003 at 08:58 PM

Bus, you are correct about most accidents happening to idiots. I would have to say that this is the case 99% of the time. And there's a bunch of em comin down here from there. But, it's the other 1 % that I have seen that really scares me. Perfectly sober people that have been lighting these fireworks for years, even Mexicans.
When you get a faulty fuse, which is sooner or later going to happen, you will see. I just hope there are no children involved.
On the other side of the coin, my dogs hate em but I enjoy em. As long as it's the drunks that seem to light em off at the other end of the neighborhood, more power to em.

Anonymous - 11-7-2003 at 07:52 AM

On the short or fast fuse. it will happen so here is how you prepare for it.

First off:
long sleeve non flamable shirt, pants and hat.

Safety goggles or glasses

ear plugs

Keep your fireworks stash in a safe box (ice chest is good) covered with a blanket and well away from the staging area. Instruct someone to be the keeper of the box with one simple rule. Never ever open the box to hand out fireworks when something is being lit or going off.

NEVER USE A LIGHTER OR A MATCH
always use a punk and you will avoid the insane urge to cup your hand around the porthole so your flame does not go out. also you will be at least 6" away then.

Place two or three sand bags on the side of the device facing the spectators so that there is a slight berm about 12" high.
If you are shooting mortar tubes make sure the berm is at least as high as the tube or bury the tube. Make sure the berm is located far enough away from the device so that if it tips it will not come to rest on the berm and lob a shell into the crowd

If a shell in a tube does not fire, ABANDON THAT TUBE for at least 1 hour then either flood it or tip it with a long stick. I have seen shells in finale strings go off 15 mins later on their own.

never bend over the device, crouch down, stay low and reach around the bags with the punk or fusee. place the side of your body to the device while doing this.

always use an electric match when firing shells larger than 4"

Never hold in hand, light and throw any fireworks device.

be aware of how the wind is blowing.

Stay far far away from structure and flammables.

pick up all your fired off stuff the next day in the light ESPECIALLY devices that malfunctioned and are still live.

I would say that if you follow the above rules you are sane and safe and minimal harm will come to you or your spectators when you get a fast fuse or your shells flowerpot in the tube.

I worked for several years with the Grucci fireworks family and other years with various manufactures and all the above has been etched into my mind.

When making fireworks the rules go way up.

Dave - 11-7-2003 at 06:01 PM

DK check your U2