Fire agencies are on alert with nightly illegal fireworks shows sparking grass fires around the Bay Area.
Contra Costa County fire officials have responded to 12 grass fires this month that were sparked by fireworks. In San Francisco, crews doused a two acre blaze Wednesday in the city’s Bayview neighborhood. And Oakland firefighters have responded to five fires in recent days.
In normal years, fire officials encourage the public to attend sanctioned fireworks shows for the Fourth of July instead of setting off their own.
“The problem is that there are many that have been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Cal Fire spokesperson Amy Head.
The pandemic has also placed additional limits in the few parts of the Bay Area that allow residents to set off “safe and sane” fireworks. In Dublin, fireworks are not allowed this year at multi-family homes, city facilities, parks, businesses or schools in order to limit crowds. Head says that may be contributing to the dramatic increase in illegal fireworks this year.
Weather conditions are also contributing to the fire danger as the holiday approaches.
“Everything is very, very dry,” Head said. “Our field moisture levels are well below what they should be for this time of year.”
While many people are feeling cooped up after months of shelter in place restrictions, fire officials are urging people to be responsible.
“You can be fined, you can face jail time and obviously you could start a major fire,” said Head. “And it’s a very dangerous situation. Not something that we need to add into everything that we’re all going through right now.”
The warning comes as fireworks sellers are set to begin selling so-called “safe and sane” fireworks this weekend.
While temperatures will cool off, which should reduce the fire danger, Cal Fire will continue stepping up staffing until after the Fourth of July.