Starting tonight, the City of Pittsburgh will deploy two-man teams of police and fire prevention officers to combat illegal fireworks use. The teams will be deployed at least through the weekend.

Last year the city issued 19 citations, made four arrests, and issued more than $15,000 in fines for fireworks violations, according to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's administration. That was with a significantly smaller fireworks team than the city will send out this year.

"Over the years, I think these things have gotten out of hand," Director of Public Safety Michael Huss said today, citing several structure fires and injuries over the years attributable to fireworks. "This is an effort to reduce those injuries and reduce those fires."

Fire Chief Darryl Jones said the rules are fairly simple: "Anything that is a projectile" or "anything that goes boom" is illegal in the city. Sparklers, smoke bombs and "snakes" are OK.

Fireworks that are illegal in Pennsylvania are readily available just across the Ohio border, said Chief Jones. The fine for setting them off in the city is $1,000 plus court costs.

Mr. Huss said residents who witness illegal fireworks use can call 911, and response to their calls will be "based on availability," but he hopes faster than in some years past.