YORK (AP) – Law enforcement officials who vowed to crack down on fireworks entering Maine announced Monday that charges have been brought against six people in the ongoing effort.

Fire Marshal investigators have issued summons to five Mainers and one New York resident during the past two weeks, and they plan to continue their efforts as Independence Day approaches.

“We have many professional fireworks displays across the state. Let’s go to one of those and be safe. Leave the fireworks to the professionals,” Fire Marshal John Dean said from his office in Augusta.

Maine is one of seven states that ban all consumer fireworks. But the banned fireworks are legal in New Hampshire, so investigators have begun monitoring fireworks stands across the border.

People who buy fireworks and bring them into Maine face fines of up to $5,000, along with the seizure of the fireworks.

The Maine residents charged are from Gardiner, Winthrop, Fort Kent, Jay and Jonesport. Each received a summons and their cases have been scheduled for York District Court on Sept. 23.

So far, nearly $2,000 worth of fireworks has been seized. The biggest seizure came from a truck that was delivering fireworks from a company in Michigan to a Baileyville resident, he said.

State prosecutors will determine whether to bring charges against the Baileyville man, he said.

Dean also urged parents to supervise children using the limited fireworks that are legal in Maine: sparklers, morning glories and caps. Sparklers produce enough heat to melt gold, Dean said.

Law enforcement officials know they can’t stop all fireworks from entering the state, and a recent incident underscored the problem.

A state trooper who was working on a surveillance detail arrived home to find a flier in his mailbox advertising fireworks for sale in New Hampshire. “We kind of chuckled at that,” Dean said.

AP-ES-06-28-04 1450EDT