A barrage of illegal fireworks around the county helped fuel a difficult night for firefighters Saturday, but as of early Sunday no homes or structures had been lost, the Contra Costa Fire Protection District said.
The district joined local agencies in responding to 67 fires between 7 p.m. and midnight, with at least 16 caused by fireworks, officials said.
The district reported 27 vegetation and other exterior fires and at one point, between 9 and 10 p.m., had personnel at the scene of 30 fires and warned that resources were stretched so thin that crews would only respond to structure fires.
Crews managed to save some 20 homes threatened in Pittsburg during the evening after fireworks sparked a blaze.
“In spite of dozens of structures threatened, not a single home was lost,” the district said.
Vegetation fires were also fought in Concord, Bay Point, San Pablo, Antioch and Martinez, among other areas.
24 comments
Great job firefighters. We know you have been bored with all the cops and health workers getting all the glory lately. Congratulations on getting caught up on the backlog of controlled burning shut down by COVID. You’re welcome, no charge. Again great job 🇺🇸💦🔥🧑🏽🚒👍🏼
Those careless people are setting illegal firework shall be punish. Put in jail and a very heavy fine. I hope the investigators go out there find out who causing the firework.
The illegal firework in my neighborhood was more like a commercial fireworks kept booming forever. I felt bad for the dogs, neighbors and the whole community have to go through this reckon
People had to put on their hat to be prepared because you just do not know what gonna happen!
While the governor unloads San Quentin..good one!
What caused the other 51 fires???
So last night, from my front room window, I watched sky high fireworks going off until late. From the window that faces that back yard I could see the flash of light before the bang of booming flash/bangs so at least I knew it was coming. I had called the non-emergency line but nothing was stopped as far as I could tell. I did wonder how many fires were started and how many people were hurt.
The non-emergency line got a lot of calls. I’m sure they did the best they could. Given it was a holiday, maybe the police didn’t have a full shift available last night. It was also probably hard for police to determine exactly where fireworks were being fired from.
Maybe next year the city should host some fireworks for Independence Day. If they don’t, freedom-loving Americans will compensate. Pffft. Virtual parade my foot.
This is what happens when you cancel all the festivities and shut-down the state, Gavin. I drove by Dinosaur Hill Park at 9:15 PM last night and the parking lot was full and cars were spilling out onto Taylor Blvd. I drove by again at 10:50 PM and there were even more cars there. There were non-stop fireworks including sky rockets of every sort flying about. Quite a few people hoofed it up the hill at Dinosaur Hill to watch it all.
It’s unfortunate that so many fire fighters couldn’t relax and celebrate the 4th of July, because they had to respond to the chaos of last night.
Thank You ConFire.
Both neighbors behind me have been setting off loud illegal fireworks. One lady drove over one and started a fighting with them, another neighbor came out and got involved because it was so loud. One of our dogs we literally have to tranquilize because she freaks for hours after she hears one. It keeps my whole household of awake. And I don’t understand WHY they’re doing this when it’s dry af. Do you really want to be responsible for burning down your own neighborhood? Fireworks cause 20k fires a year. I’m going to start giving addresses of my trashy neighbors, just STOP
I will join you.
We are in a mild drought too. Nice waste or resources and water. Selfish, nasty people. Need more consequences for setting these fires. Send them a bill for the water and fire department. Arrest all that injured others.
I have always enjoyed the neighborhood fireworks on special occasions. What is you opinion about the supposed 67 fires set on this 4th? I say BS. But then we have also had 3 fires per day for the last couple of weeks. Oddly coinciding with the protesting and looting. Any thoughts?
More and more people think that laws are just suggestions. Fireworks, cellphones, while driving, speeding, tearing down private and public property are all examples of this. The chances of getting arrested are small, the chances of going to jail are even smaller.
The police should have stopped this firework nonsense months ago. The comment above where several fights broke out amongst neighbors shows what can happen when some people are allowed to terrorize citizens with fireworks nightly for months. Those of us who work need our sleep; our pets need peace as do the rest of us. The police not stopping this will end up in violence as some feel they need to take the situation in their own hands. We should not have to confront lawless neighbors. That’s why we are paying thousands and tens of thousands in property taxes. Where have the police been??!
We. Should NOT have to live in fear of fires from inconsiderate criminals destroying the peace we should have in our homes.
police have been 1000% useless with neighbors. almost an excuse to not do the job. maddening. same crap going on here. couldn’t believe these pier 39 sf fireworks allowed to go on for hours and weeks here.
I agree. I am so fed up I almost lost my sh*t last night. My dogs have been shaking, crying and breaking things ALL NIGHT LONG for the past month. They’re trashing my house and refuse to go outside at night to go potty. Last night I had mud tracked all over my bed at 11pm because my dog was trying to escape the noise. I can’t take it anymore and it really needs to stop.
@Rachel – You can get prescription sedatives specifically for canines from your vet. I used to have to sedate my Chow-mix Lexi; she was terrified. But she handled everything well this year, thankfully, in spite of it being so loud, and boomers over many nights.
In the past, I did find that Lexi was lethargic/woozy for part of the following day. But that’s better than being a scared mess. I’d talk with your vet if you haven’t already. Oh, and I’ve found, in the past, that over the counter calming chews, and pet thundershirts, were worthless.
Also helps to keep music on in the house. And if you have them, run noise machines and air purifiers. The ambient background noise helps.
On our way home from a drive about 9 PM, we saw police cars rushing everywhere. I have no idea where they were all going, but they were having a very busy night.
I can’t imagine how any city could have enough officers to stop the illegal firework madness. Our neighborhood would have required at least four or five to stop all the fireworks going off in a two-block radius.
It was utter insanity. Last night was mostly quiet– finally.
Thank you Firefighters!!!
Amen to that! What a crap job firemen have coupled with zero police doing their jobs.
The cost of freedom.
This is what happens when thousands of people are dying!
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