Standing in front of an empty lot in the foothills, which held a home until the Eaton fire took it, Pasadena officials warned residents and visitors of the penalties they could face if they light illegal fireworks leading up to and during the Fourth of July.

“The vegetation is starting to grow back,” Pasadena city spokeswoman Lisa Derderian said Wednesday of the foothills surrounding the northern portion of the Hastings Ranch community, some spots of which were leveled by the Eaton. “We don’t want to have a false sense that it can’t burn again.”

Five months after the Eaton fire ravaged large swaths of Altadena and parts of Pasadena and Sierra Madre, and with summer approaching, Pasadena police and fire officials said they would beef up staffing in an attempt to keep illegal fireworks from being lit in the city and potentially starting another dangerous wild.

The cause of the Eaton fire remains under investigation; several lawsuits have been filed against Southern California Edison alleging sparks from a power line in Eaton Canyon ignited the brush below during an uncommon windstorm on Jan. 7. The fire burned more than 14,000 acres, damaged or destroyed more than 10,000 structures and claimed 18 lives.

In Pasadena, all fireworks — even those deemed safe and sane — are illegal.

Fines for possessing or lighting illegal fireworks range from $250 to $5,000 depending on the quantity, plus the cost of safely disposing of the explosives could be added, lead city prosecutor Tim Wellman said. Violators could also face jail time of up to one year.

“Our community and our neighbors have suffered enough,” Wellman said. “Let’s not add to it by risking all the harm connected with fireworks. Let’s protect our community from the dangers that fireworks bring, including fires, injuries and property damage.”

This year, the Rose Bowl will not offer fireworks but the Foodieland Food Festival and a drone show instead.

Pasadena Fire Chief Chad Augustin urged people to attend a fireworks or drone show put on by professionals. Calls regarding fireworks have been low this year and Augustin was hopeful the trend would continue.

“As we stand here surrounded by homes that were destroyed by the Eaton fire, I want to remind you of the grief felt by so many,” Augustin said. “Let’s commit to ensure that no additional property is lost by fire, caused from illegal fireworks.”

The Fire Department is bringing on extra staffing for the holiday, including an extra deputy fire chief, engine and patrol unit.

“We’re still reeling,” the chief said. “(And) we’re in drought conditions.”

The fire chief encouraged anyone who sees others with fireworks in the city to report it.

Pasadena police Chief Eugene Harris said there would be a heavy police presence in and around all the fire-prone areas of the city, including the foothills, and around any of the events taking place.

“We want people to come in and enjoy themselves in Pasadena,” Harris said. “But the tolerance will be what it is and that’s to make sure we don’t have any additional fires or adverse safety issues brought on by the festivities of the Fourth of July.”

With hot conditions expected, officials provided tips to avoid heat exhaustion, including drinking plenty of fluids, wearing so-called broad-spectrum sunscreen, a protection against both UVA and UVB radiation, and taking breaks from the sun by finding shade or going into air-conditioned spaces.

Officials recommended making sure pets have ID tags on or are microchipped. More pets go missing on the Fourth of July than any other day, said Chris Ramon, interim president and CEO of Pasadena Humane.