Here's how many tickets Wichita firefighters have issued for illegal fireworks so far

Fire officials have started cracking down on illegal firework celebrations in Wichita.

Fire Marshal Stuart Bevis said the Wichita Fire Department had issued around 50 tickets leading up to the morning of the Fourth of July.

"Warnings were generally issued when there was suspicion of use but no direct evidence for a citation," Bevis said.

Police may have issued more citations before Independence Day, but Officer Paul Cruz said he wouldn't know how many until Thursday.

Firework sales began in the area on Friday. Some illegal skyrockets started flying over Wichita neighborhoods at around the same time, but no citations were issued by firefighters over the weekend.

Bevis previously told The Eagle that the promised crackdown on illegal fireworks had not really started. Greater enforcement was expected starting Tuesday night. As many as 22 extra fire department employees could be on patrol in plain white cars.

The Wichita City Council in May rewrote its fireworks ordinance to make it easier to enforce. Only novelties like hand-held sparklers and ground-based fountains that throw sparks less than 6 feet are allowed. Violators can receive a $250 citation.

This story was originally published July 4, 2018 at 4:12 PM.