Fireworks

Aliso Viejo: Community festival with live entertainment, bounce houses, face painting, games and apple pie contest begins at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Grand Park, 26703 Aliso Creek Road. (949) 243-7411 or www.avca.net -- Anaheim: Canyon Hills Community Council's 4th of July Walk/Run check-in at 5:30 a.m., with celebration and festivities at 12:30 p.m. Canyon High School Parade at 3 p.m. Fireworks at 9 p.m. Peralta Canyon Park, 115 N. Pinney Drive. www.chccanaheim.

Authorities arrested four people after finding more than 4,000 pounds of illegal fireworks in their trailer on Interstate 15 early Monday, police said. David Garcia, 27, of South Pasadena; Susan Garcia, 21, of Alhambra; Dolly Martinez, 31, of Rosemead; and Jason Yamasaki, 27, of Monterey Park were arrested after San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies received a tip about the shipment and tracked it to Barstow, said Steve Hansen, a county Fire Department spokesman.

A brush fire ignited by fireworks burned about 3 acres of vegetation Thursday before it was brought under control, said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Stephen Miller. The fire was reported about 3:15 p.m. blazing up a hill near Highlands Avenue and Happy Sparrow Lane, briefly threatening a row of homes. About 70 firefighters were dispatched, and the fire was contained about 4:15 p.m., Miller said. No injuries were reported and no homes damaged.

At the stroke of midnight tonight, Southern California will mark a milestone that few are celebrating. History will show that from July 1 of 2006 to June 30 of this year, only 3.21 inches of rain fell in downtown Los Angeles -- the lowest precipitation level since records started being kept in the 1880s. Other cities around the region, including Pasadena, Culver City, Anaheim and Riverside, will also set all-time records.

A City Terrace man has been arrested after authorities raided his home and found almost 2,500 pounds of illegal fireworks, including nearly 2,000 black powder-filled M-80 explosives, officials said today. George Stoner Carrera, 47, was arrested about 6:30 p.m. Thursday at his home in the 4400 block of Loren Avenue, authorities said. He was booked on suspicion of possessing unlawful explosives, possessing a destructive device and felony transportation and sale of illegal and dangerous fireworks.

A Pittsburg man was being held in lieu of $1-million bail after police seized 3,000 pounds of high-powered fireworks, including commercial types not intended for public sale, from a mobile home park, authorities said. Keith Dennis Brown, 29, is being held on suspicion of possession of destructive devices, possession of a destructive device in a prohibited place and a health and safety code violation, investigators said.

A lack of rain in Southern California and elsewhere is turning into a smoldering concern this Fourth of July season, as officials worry fireworks may ignite dry brush in drought-stricken areas. But Jim Souza sees opportunity. Souza, who heads Rialto-based Pyro Spectaculars Inc., has developed something he has dubbed "high-definition fireworks," which he hopes will address increasing safety concerns over pyrotechnic safety.

Today Orange: The city's 11th annual July 3 celebration, featuring games, live music, rides, food and other attractions, starts at 4 p.m. and ends with fireworks about 8:30 p.m. El Modena High School, Fred Kelly Stadium, 3920 Spring St. $5; children 2 and under, free. (714) 744-7278 or www.cityoforange.org Wednesday Aliso Viejo: Community festival starts at 6 p.m. Fireworks at dusk. Grand Park Town Center, Aliso Creek Road at Pacific Park Drive. (949) 448-5922 or www.cityofalisoviejo.