As Independence Day celebrations take place this week, authorities reported that a large amount of illegal fireworks being brought into the state have been seized.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal and Cal Fire law enforcement personnel have been conducting targeted interdiction operations at ports of entry into the state of California.

More than 140,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, with a street value of $23.4 million, have been seized so far this year. The largest seizure yielding more than 4,600 pounds.

“These interdictions will continue to curb the destructive fires started by illegal fireworks, knowingly sold by vendors in Nevada to California,” said acting State Fire Marshal Mike Richwine. “With 36 arrests and 514 citations so far, those numbers could climb in the coming days.”

During their ongoing efforts, officers contacted four parole officers regarding parolees, seized one firearm possessed by a felon, served eight notices of persons driving on a suspended license and made eight additional felony arrests for unrelated crimes. An additional 42 contacts were made identifying vehicle towing fire safety violations.

Overall, 63 officers made over 1,400 contacts during the course of the investigations.

With additional funding and through intelligence gained, fire and law enforcement personnel investigated, researched and contacted every lead possible, according to the report.

The Office of the State Fire Marshal now has possession of the confiscated fireworks and will coordinate the removal of the products out of the state for destruction, utilizing waste management contractors.

Cal Fire thanked the cooperating agencies that have contributed to a successful operation so far this year, including the California Department of Food and Agriculture, Nevada County District Attorney’s Office, San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office, Truckee Police Department, United States Forest Service, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, Nevada County Sheriff's Department, Sierra County Sheriff's Department, Placer County Sheriff's Department, Alcohol Tobacco & Firearms and Redlands Fire Department.

The agency also thanked the citizens of Truckee for their understanding and patience some of these operations were conducted within their community.

Cal Fire is reminding everyone to do their part to have a safe holiday and help prevent wildfires and injuries caused by fireworks. Two out of five fires on July 4 are caused by fireworks, more than any other cause of fires. Most of these incidents are related to the use of illegal fireworks as well as state-approved fireworks that are handled and or ignited incorrectly.