OROVILLE >> Firefighters combated two larger wildfires on Friday, marking the first clear ramp-up of fire season within Butte County.

Palermo was hit with what was dubbed the District Fire, near District Central Road, which burned a total of 44 acres, while further west toward Bangor, the Grove Fire burned through 78 acres.

Cal Fire-Butte County Public Information Officer Dan Collins said that given the nature of the investigations into the fire, he could not confirm whether fireworks were involved in the origins of the blazes.Firefighters were dispatched to 14 other smaller fires over the weekend besides the Grove and District fires.

Though some parts of Butte County stayed calm through the holiday weekend, Cal Fire-Butte County received its fair share of complaints regarding Fourth of July fireworks.

Collins confirmed that the Butte County Fire Department, which contracts with Cal Fire, received a total of 105 fireworks complaint calls from 8 a.m. July 3 through 8 a.m. July 6.

“This was another busy holiday weekend for Cal Fire-Butte County resources,” Collins said. “We want to remind the public that only ‘Safe and Sane’ fireworks, marked with the State Fire Marshal seal, are permitted in Butte County. These fireworks may only be discharged in the cities of Oroville, Gridley, and Biggs, and only between June 28 and July 6 at noon. As we are now beyond the authorized period, the use of any fireworks in Butte County is illegal.”

Chico saw a slightly calmer weekend. Wes Metroka, battalion chief for the Chico Fire Department, said it was a slower Independence Day weekend than in previous years.

“It was fairly quiet on that front for us other than a few complaint calls, but nothing significant,” Metroka said.

Fireworks arrest

While it was unconfirmed whether any fireworks played a part in weekend fires, Cal Fire-Butte County law enforcement officers made an arrest of a woman suspected of selling illegal fireworks last week.

According to a press release issued Sunday by Cal Fire-Butte County, Naudia Velasquez, 25, was arrested in Chico after investigators allegedly found 60 pounds of illegal fireworks as well as other illegal items on her property on July 2.

The release said Velasquez was taken to the Butte County Jail on suspicion of violating California code.

“As this arrest constituted a violation of her previous probation terms, Velasquez is currently being held without bail,” the release said.