Fireworks spark busy night for Contra Costa County Fire Dept.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 5, 2023) — Despite all fireworks remaining illegal for personal use in Contra Costa, chances are that you could hear what your neighbors thought about that last night (if you weren’t lighting them up yourself).

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District expected a high amount of illegal fireworks and staffed up in anticipation. The Dept. implemented its limited response plan to ensure resource availability for the numerous expected fires.

By 8 PM they reported responding to 5 fires. A 3-acre grass fire broke out in Walnut Creek but crews quickly put it down. Two hours later they had responded to 19 exterior and grass fires either known or suspected to result from fireworks.

A 2-story home in Pleasant Hill caught fire after neighbors reported an explosion.

By the end of the night, crews responded to more than 80 fires, most suspected of fireworks cause. Additionally, at least one serious injury to someone’s hand was caused by fireworks.

A spokesperson for the Dept. said that typically they will continue to see fireworks-caused fires for about a week after the 4th of July as people try to get rid of unused fireworks.