COPPEROPOLIS, Calif. — A week after the Aero Fire scorched more than 5,000 acres and destroyed three structures near the Calaveras County community of Copperopolis, Amanda Kelley and her team with the Copperopolis Elementary Parent-Teacher Club are selling fireworks minutes away from the burn scar.
"We're expecting today and tomorrow to probably be our busiest day," Kelley said Friday. "Our firework booth... we would not do if it wasn't for the support of the local fire department, the local fire chief and the fire marshal."
In Calaveras County, "Safe and Sane" labeled fireworks are allowed almost everywhere except the Ebbetts Pass Fire District, which runs along Highway 4 from Forest Meadows up to Tamarack. Over the county line, however, regulations are different.
No fireworks are allowed in Tuolumne County, and up north, "Safe and Sane" labeled fireworks are only allowed in four cities in Amador County. Back in Calaveras County, officials can still halt fireworks sales if fire danger becomes too severe.
Regardless of the county, no fireworks are allowed on Bureau of Land Management or National Forest lands.
"They should be banned because it's just too dangerous right now. It's scary, it's costing people money and their lives and their vehicles and their houses," said Marcia Day, a tourist from the Bay Area. "Why are we doing it?"
Kelley says the answer is for the kids. She is hoping to light up her organization's budget with more than $25,000 expected to be raised this week while fireworks sales are allowed.
"What we raise money for is our field trips, our assemblies, our wonderful teachers and staff to get grants," said Kelley. "Whatever they need for their classrooms that the district is not willing to pay for (we gift)."
Copperopolis resident Chris Walker has mixed emotions. He and his family were evacuated as the Aero Fire raced toward town. At the end of the day, he says it's the responsibility of the fireworks buyers to keep the county safe.
"It brings in a lot of money. You can't point fingers at them for making efforts to raise money for various programs," said Walker. "Obviously follow the rules, double check with your fire agencies to see if there's any restrictions on that. If they do that, make sure you've got a fire extinguisher, buckets of water..."
Kelley hopes people are safe with their fireworks as well, which is why each purchase from her booth comes with a fire extinguisher and safety tips.
"Just keep it safe and sane for everybody around us, you know?" said Kelley. "Think about everybody. Don't think about yourself."
Watch more from ABC10: Copperopolis thanks first responders who saved the town from Aero Fire