Fireworks booths are popping up like a Ground Bloom Flower around Modesto in anticipation of June 28, the day fireworks sales may begin.

As usual, fireworks legally can be sold from noon Thursday until noon July 6. According to California law, fireworks can only be sold to people 16 and older.

Fireworks are not legal everywhere, however. They are illegal in Tuolumne County and other parts of the Sierra as well as most parts of San Joaquin County.

They are legal in all parts of Stanislaus County and most of Merced County. The Modesto office of fire prevention estimates that there will be 76 fireworks booths in the city this year.

"The important thing to remember is you can only shoot fireworks where you can buy them," said Jim Weigand, Modesto's fire marshal. "Don't take them into counties where they're illegal."

Where fireworks are legal, fire officials and medical experts preach caution.

"The most important thing to remember is that safe and sane fireworks is a relative term," he said. "You need to use good common sense. Never give fireworks to kids. Always read the directions. Don't experiment with fireworks. Don't use them inside."

While Weigand's advice seems obvious, the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control reports that malfunction and careless use of fireworks resulted in 8,500 injuries in 1998 alone. According to the center, children are the most likely to be injured. Burns are among the most common injuries among children, said Dr. Robert Padilla of the Stanislaus Health Services Agency.

"Children have a tendency to hold onto them or throw them," he said. "It's safer if they don't handle them."

California fire officials also recommend staying away from illegal fireworks such as bottle rockets, firecrackers and M-80s. For the second year in a row, Central Valley fire agencies, including Madera and Merced county fire departments, will take a no-tolerance approach to illegal fireworks.

Bee staff writer Shirley Dang and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

See Friday's Scene section for a list of local Fourth of July celebrations, including community fireworks displays.

Reprinted by permission of Modesto Bee.