SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) — The City of San Jose spent tens of thousands of dollars to try and curtail the use of illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July. It didn’t work.

Timelapse video from the hills overlooking San Jose shows the hundreds – if not thousands – of illegal fireworks explosions over the city.

“Last night, i was telling my husband, seemed worse than in other years, surprisingly,” said downtown resident Patty Greenroe.

Surprising because San Jose spent $50,000 on a public outreach campaign – flooding the community with billboards and on-air announcements – reminding people that fireworks are illegal in the city.

They had hoped to leverage peer pressure or the threat of neighbor turning in neighbor to cut down on displays like those seen across the city last night. But for the most part, the effort was a dud.

“It was actually kind of like a war zone,” said Greenroe. “It was ‘bang, bang, bang, bang, bang.’ I was really surprised.”

We showed the timelapse, which I recorded from my backyard between 9 and ten last night, to city officials who had hoped their campaign would have had more of an effect.

“That’s not really a surprise,” said Cheryl Wessling. “It is a sad statement, though, of how people are not listening to the fireworks message which was really, ‘Let’s show some respect for the community.'”

The city says it will be a long process to change behaviors, and there were some successes.

“At Kelly Park, the rangers noted that it seemed like less fireworks use there,” said Wessling. “And in a couple of neighborhoods we heard reports that it seemed like it [had tapered off] a little bit compared to last year.” The bad news is in some neighborhoods, it was just as bad as ever.”

There was no word of any major injuries from the illegal fireworks use in San Jose, although a teenager in Newark lost a part of his hand to an illegal fireworks explosion.

ANTIOCH (CBS SF) — Firefighters in Antioch are investigating a four-alarm apartment fire that broke out Friday night and sent three people to the hospital.

The blaze was first reported around 10 p.m. in the 3900 block of Delta Fair Boulevard, Contra Costa Fire Protection District Capt. George Laing said.

Four people were treated at the scene for smoke inhalation and three were taken to the hospital.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the fire before midnight.

It appears the blaze started as a vegetation fire and then spread to several structures, according to the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

There were 18 units in three buildings and one acre of vegetation damaged in the fire.

The damaged caused by the fire is estimated at $990,000.

The blaze may have been started by fireworks, as there were earlier reports of fireworks in the area, according to Laing.

© Copyright 2017 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) — Illegal fireworks lit up the sky over San Jose over the Fourth of July weekend, and now city authorities are issuing fines to people they believe shot off those illegal fireworks.

But some residents who got citations say the city has no proof of the violations.

There are some angry residents in San Jose.

A city PR campaign to stop people from shooting off illegal fireworks obviously didn’t work and now the city is sending out fines to people, accusing them of shooting off fireworks even though the city has no proof.

Neighbor Amy Guzules says she hasn’t set off fireworks since she was a child, a time when they were legal.

Guzules said, “I was furious. I couldn’t believe that somebody could report something online and automatically I’d get a ticket.”

And so imagine her surprise when she received a $500 citation in the mail less than two weeks after the Fourth of July.

Three families in her neighborhood received fireworks citations.

The city has been aggressively cracking down on illegal fireworks in recent years, encouraging citizens to report offenders anonymously and even removing the requirement that they have video or photographic evidence of someone setting off fireworks before filing the report.

Guzules and her neighbors say the city policy is poorly designed as it is reliant on anonymous reporting and unsubstantiated allegations that shifts the burden of proof to the accused.

Neighbor Keith said, “I just think it’s not thought out. Did they really think about the outcome?”

All say they are innocent and are furious that they have to pay the $500 fine for a first offense, before challenging the citation in court.

“They’re just issuing these citations. There’s no investigation that’s been done or anything by city officials,” Keith said.

A spokesperson for a city says they received more than 1,000 complaints, but only issued citations when there was photo or video evidence, multiple reports or a high degree of confidence from the reporting party.

Or at the very least a follow-up conversation with the reporting party.

Guzules said, “People who are accusing don’t need proof. But the people who are accused have to pay a fine in order to prove that they’re innocent. It’s backwards and it needs to change.”

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) – San Jose city officials announced on Thursday the city will be dismissing all 45 citations that were issued for illegal use of fireworks that were based on complaints recently submitted through a pilot online reporting tool.

The citations being dismissed were issued in May, June and July, according to city officials.

The residents who received the mailed citations will instead be issued warning letters.

City officials made the decision on Wednesday after a review of the citation process.

Officials said any residents who already paid the fines associated with the citations would be reimbursed.

This was the first year the city issued citations using information submitted through the pilot online reporting tool.

Officials said that between late May and July 12, residents filed 1,075 online reports of fireworks use. Of the reports issued, there were 45 citations issued following review by city staff.

During the last few weeks, city staff reviewed the process and criteria for issuing citations, and the review included listening to some people who felt they received citations unfairly, officials said.

© Copyright 2017 by CBS San Francisco and Bay City News Service. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

STOCKTON (CBS SF) — A joint investigation in Stockton led to a huge fireworks bust Thursday that culminated in an arrest and the seizure of 14,000 tons of explosives, according to authorities.

Stockton police said that a joint effort that also involved detectives from the Manteca Police Department and the San Joaquin County Sheriff’s Office resulted in the historic seizure on Thursday, June 28.

Authorities served a search warrant at the residence of 40-year-old Stockton resident Steven Clark, located on the 2400 block of Country Club Boulevard. Police were led to the home from an advertisement officers spotted on Craigslist.

During the search of the home, authorities discovered approximately 14,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, including aerial mortars, Roman candles and various other types of illicit explosives.

Stockton illegal fireworks bust (Stockton Police Department)

Clark was arrested for a variety of felony charges including possession of a destructive device, possession of a destructive device near a school, advertising for illegal fireworks sales and possession of illegal fireworks for sale (in excess of 5,000 pounds).

Clark was booked at the San Joaquin County Jail.

Stockton illegal fireworks bust (Stockton Police Department)

The Stockton Police Department is encouraging people to call authorities if they have any information about people who are either selling or in possession of illegal fireworks. Callers can call Stockton Crime Stoppers at (209) 946-0600 and may remain anonymous.

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — After years of trying to crack down on illegal fireworks in the city, San Jose city has come up with a new plan: a website where people can report fireworks scofflaws.

City officials unveiled another city-wide anti-fireworks ad campaign in Vietnamese, Spanish, and English, with the tag line: snap, click, report.

The city’s online fireworks reporting website now allows you – for the first time ever – to upload photos and videos of your neighbors behaving badly.

“With more people reporting and a system that’s improved for reporting, it does have a deterrent effect,” said San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow. “If we can deter everybody from using fireworks, then we don’t have to worry about enforcing.”

The city’s battle against fireworks has been a work in progress. Last year, San Jose spent $50,000 on a public outreach campaign, reminding citizens that fireworks are illegal. It included the tagline: “Respect neighbors, veterans, and pets” and was supposed to urge wrongdoers to be more considerate.

It did not work. Video of the San Jose foothills during last Fourth of July evening showed a constant stream of illegal fireworks exploding in the air.

In addition, dozens of people said they were wrongfully issued $500 citations. It turned out that the city’s website just took complaints and mailed out citations without further investigation.

So the city dropped the charges and went back to the drawing board.

“We do something. It’s not perfect. We evaluate how to make the system better. We make what we think are improvements,” said Matlow. “If it didn’t work well, how can we fix the problem, how can we improve it. And you just keep going through that process.”

This year, to bust the wannabe pyro technicians, the individuals in the videos must be identifiable in some way.

Also, the more information you have of the perpetrators, like names, addresses, and so on, the better.

“It can be done anonymously but we prefer that they give us their information so that if we need to do follow up questions we can,” said Matlow. “What’s really important, we don’t want them to put themselves at risk by getting those pictures or videos.”

The first fine for illegal fireworks in San Jose will be $500.

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — After years of trying to crack down on illegal fireworks in the city, San Jose city has come up with a new plan: a website where people can report fireworks scofflaws.

City officials unveiled another city-wide anti-fireworks ad campaign in Vietnamese, Spanish, and English, with the tag line: snap, click, report.

The city’s online fireworks reporting website now allows you – for the first time ever – to upload photos and videos of your neighbors behaving badly.

“With more people reporting and a system that’s improved for reporting, it does have a deterrent effect,” said San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow. “If we can deter everybody from using fireworks, then we don’t have to worry about enforcing.”

The city’s battle against fireworks has been a work in progress. Last year, San Jose spent $50,000 on a public outreach campaign, reminding citizens that fireworks are illegal. It included the tagline: “Respect neighbors, veterans, and pets” and was supposed to urge wrongdoers to be more considerate.

It did not work. Video of the San Jose foothills during last Fourth of July evening showed a constant stream of illegal fireworks exploding in the air.

In addition, dozens of people said they were wrongfully issued $500 citations. It turned out that the city’s website just took complaints and mailed out citations without further investigation.

So the city dropped the charges and went back to the drawing board.

“We do something. It’s not perfect. We evaluate how to make the system better. We make what we think are improvements,” said Matlow. “If it didn’t work well, how can we fix the problem, how can we improve it. And you just keep going through that process.”

This year, to bust the wannabe pyro technicians, the individuals in the videos must be identifiable in some way.

Also, the more information you have of the perpetrators, like names, addresses, and so on, the better.

“It can be done anonymously but we prefer that they give us their information so that if we need to do follow up questions we can,” said Matlow. “What’s really important, we don’t want them to put themselves at risk by getting those pictures or videos.”

The first fine for illegal fireworks in San Jose will be $500.

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) – With 2019 set to begin, authorities in San Jose are set to crack down on illegal fireworks and impose massive fines for anyone caught setting them off during celebrations to ring in the New Year.

“We need the Community’s assistance to stop illegal fireworks in San Jose,” Fire Chief Robert Sapien Jr. said in a statement earlier this month. “When reporting illegal fireworks activity online, we’re asking residents to provide as much specific information as they can, so we can increase enforcement.”

The city has set up a website to “snap, click and report” violators, where residents can upload photos and videos of their neighbors using illegal fireworks.

Residents can also report illegal fireworks by calling a 24-hour hotline at 408-535-5600. Anyone who spots an active fire should call 911.

First-time violators face a $500 fine, with increased fines for repeat violations within 18 months. Anyone caught selling fireworks faces fines up to $50,000, along with potential jail time.

ANTIOCH (CBS SF) — Firefighters believe illegal fireworks sparked a 2-alarm blaze in eastern Antioch Saturday afternoon which damaged one house and threatened others before crews contained the fire.

The two-alarm fire was reported about 2:15 p.m. Saturday in the 1300 block of Trembath Lane, just north of East 18th Street, according to the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District.

It started out as a grass fire but damaged one house and destroyed a shed and some wooden fences. But crews from Con Fire and from the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District saved six houses nearby from the fire.

The fire was out by about 3 p.m. Saturday. No one was injured.

Fire officials reiterated Saturday that all fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County.

© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

REDWOOD CITY (CBS SF) — More than 1,000 pounds of illegal fireworks were seized from a Redwood City home this week, police said.

Three men were arrested after the cache was discovered Thursday when detectives were following up on another case at a home in the 3500 block of Hoover Street, according to Redwood City police.

When detectives spotted illegal fireworks at the house, several people tried to get away but were detained. After getting a search warrant, police found more than 1,000 pounds of fireworks in the home and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office bomb squad assisted with collection, storage and disposal.

Police seized a cache of illegal fireworks at a Redwood City home. (Redwood City Police Photo)

The quantity and type of fireworks found at the home presented a public safety hazard to residents in the area, the Friendly Acres neighborhood near Highway 101 and Marsh Road, police said.

Jesus Miguel Cuevas, 18, of Redwood City was taken into custody on suspicion of felony possession of dangerous fireworks in excess of 100 pounds, and misdemeanor sale of dangerous fireworks. Cuevas was booked into San Mateo County jail.

Two other suspects, Francisco Alberto Garibay, 21, and Jesus Garibay, 22, both of South San Francisco, were each cited on a misdemeanor violation of sale of dangerous fireworks and released.

All fireworks are illegal in Redwood City and possession and use of them can carry fines of up to $50,000 and substantial jail time.

Anyone with information related to the fireworks seizure is asked to contact Sgt. Russ Felker at (650) 780-7627.

Persons with information about the case or any other case who wish to remain anonymous may leave messages at 1-800-222-TIPS or send the information online at http://www.BayareaCrimestoppers.org.

© Copyright 2019 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

SAN JOSE (KPIX 5) — The city of San Jose is once again trying to discourage illegal fireworks use on the Fourth of July holiday by encouraging neighbors to report each other.

“What we’re asking people to do – if it’s safe to do so – is take a picture of the person setting off the fireworks,” said San Jose Fire Capt. Mitch Matlow.

Entering its third year, the city’s fireworks reporting program is making a renewed push to report illegal activity while re-igniting an old debate over its wisdom and effectiveness.

A timelapse image of some of the illegal fireworks over San Jose, July 4, 2017. (Len Ramirez)

“If we have enough information, we’ll investigate the claim and then issue a citation. So, there will be an actual investigation and not just an automatic citation,” said San Jose City Councilmember Johnny Khamis.

The program was widely criticized when it was first unveiled two years for an over-reliance on anonymous reporting as well as citations issued with little or no evidence that were difficult to disprove. The city ended up dismissing the citations issued.

“I was furious. I couldn’t believe that someone could report something online and automatically I’d get a ticket,” said homeowner Amy Guzules in 2017. Guzules successfully petitioned the city to drop citations like the one she received that were based on anonymous and unsubstantiated reports.

The overwhelming majority of reports do not result in citations of any kind. According to the city, only six citations were issued over the Fourth of July holiday in 2018 despite than 3,000 reports.

“Last year, we didn’t cite as many people. But the people who were cited were very guilty,” Khamis said.

SAN FRANCISCO (KPIX) — All across the Bay Area there are communities that promise a “zero tolerance” policy on illegal fireworks. In San Bruno, it seems, they really mean it.

“Everyone in the entire department is required to work the Fourth of July in San Bruno,” says Lieutenant Ryan Johansen of the San Bruno police department.

The entire staff is working Thursday and, if it’s anything like last year, they will be busy.

The department made 25 arrests and seized 400 pounds of illegal fireworks on July 4, 2018. Three hundred pounds of that came from just one vehicle.

The issue of fireworks — even the legal ones — is something this community has wrestled with over the years.

“There’s a large contingency that really advocates every year to keep fireworks legal in San Bruno as a matter of tradition and practice,” said Lt. Johansen. “And then there’s the other group that says this is a huge nuisance, a problem for pets, a problem for safety and that they want to stop. So somewhere in between is to continue to allow them and try to enforce the illegal stuff as best we can.”

Residents can buy legal fireworks from the San Bruno Police Officers Association but police also have a hotline for reporting illegal fireworks and even use unmarked surveillance vehicles to catch violators.

“We will put out surveillance teams whose sole purpose is to observe the fireworks being used because they’re a little bit tougher to detect,” Johansen said. “And they’ll send in marked units in uniforms to actually issue citations.”

So, with all of the arrests and citations handed out last year, do police think people will be any more inclined to celebrate by the rules this year?

“You know, I would love to say ‘yes,'” Johansen laughed. “Unfortunately, I think it’s just the people who received the thousand-dollar citations last year that are probably more likely to be safe this year and those who didn’t get caught will wait until they do.”

SAN LEANDRO (KPIX) — San Leandro police had no illusions that their officers would be able to make contact with every person launching illegal fireworks this Fourth of July.

They added extra officers on the street this year along with additional dispatchers to take fireworks-related calls.

Their main focus was on getting large quantities of commercial-grade illegal fireworks off the streets of San Leandro before they hit the black market. Their latest haul: roughly 200 pounds of M-80s and other illegal fireworks found in a vacant car in Washington Manor Park this Independence Day.

San Leandro police spokesman Lt. Robert McManus said the fireworks likely would have been sold on the streets or in local parks had police not intercepted them.

McManus showed KPIX the stash of fireworks as Alameda County bomb squad technicians sorted through them. There were two bags of small, highly-combustible explosive devices which contain a quarter-stick of dynamite each.

“They’re dangerous and the over-pressure on that can really hurt you,” said one technician.

The Independence Day bust was one of two in as many days. On July 2, San Leandro officers responded to a report of suspicious activity at a storage facility and discovered two men unloading more than 2,000 pounds of illegal, commercial-grade fireworks.

As McManus patroled the streets of San Leandro looking for people setting off fireworks, he admitted stopping them all can be daunting.

“Generally we drive away and the second we get around the corner, they’re back out in the street again lighting more fireworks off even if we’ve already confiscated what they had,” he said.

But, he said, that won’t keep officers from trying.

SAN JOSE (KPIX) — Across San Jose the sky was lit up with illegal fireworks Thursday despite a renewed push from city leaders to crack down on the Fourth of July tradition.

“I think it should be legal,” said Rosalio Chavoya. “It’s safe. Everybody here, they clean up their mess.”

Chavoya was among dozens in Alviso who set off fireworks in the streets despite the fact that it is against the law.

Last year, piles of debris were left behind in Alviso from fireworks. There was even damage to one car caused by the explosives.

This year, Chavoya armed himself with a broom and was seen cleaning up fireworks after they were set off.

“Last couple of years we’ve been doing this,” said Chavoya. “It’s safe, a family-oriented thing.”

Betty Kesler, who lives near Communications Hill, said she’s witnessed what fireworks could wreak in the wrong hands.

“It scares me when I see the kids, the teenage kids up there,” she said. “We’ve seen them up there throwing fireworks — literally, I took video of them throwing fireworks up — thank God nothing happened at the time.”

This year, San Jose city leaders, as well as firefighters, reminded residents they could take a picture of a person setting off fireworks and send it in to be corroborated before a citation is sent to the person.

There’s also a fireworks hotline where people can report violators.

Those who are cited can be fined up to $1,000.

Despite the push, some said it’s a tradition and not even the law will get in the way of their tradition.

“It’s just a family thing, you know, everybody does clean up their mess,” said Veronica Chavoya. “Everybody is not going to put their kids in danger, it’s all about getting together and family.”

SAN JOSE (KPIX) — Two families had much to be thankful for Friday morning as they surveyed the damage from a fire Thursday night that came breathtakingly close to burning their homes.

The houses in San Jose are separated by a row of about eight juniper trees which caught fire after kids spent the evening setting off fireworks nearby.

A Thursday-night Snapchat video showed an empty Gatorade bottle on the street in front of one of the homes with a large fireworks charge perched on the top. Once lit, the explosion did not travel vertically; instead the bottle tipped over, and the sparks jetted toward the trees but, before hitting them, it shot up into the air.

While the video does not show the trees catching fire, it appears to be one explanation.

“When [juniper trees] get going they’re like roman candles,” said San Jose fire captain Peter Caponio. “I mean they’re very dry and the fire shoots right through ‘em.”

The wall of fire between the two homes raged on at around 11 p.m. Thursday but the San Jose Fire Department was able to get to the scene quickly and prevent damage to the homes. At one house, a car was badly burned and the driveway scorched but both properties and the people in them were unhurt.

“They’re very nice people, very nice people,” said Rosa Williams, who lives in the neighborhood. “To see that happen is awful.”

Today, the street near the homes was littered with debris left over from fireworks. Witnesses to the fire reported seeing kids in the area playing with fireworks before the fire started.

Despite the fact that the department is still investigating the cause of the fire, captain Caponio took the opportunity to remind people, “Enjoy your fireworks at the ballpark and the professional organizations becuse they’re erratic, they’re dangerous.”

Since June 1, the department has received 1,765 reports of illegal fireworks.

RICHMOND (KPIX) – With the recent significant uptick in the sights and sounds of illegal fireworks across the Bay Area and the country, local police departments say they have received thousands of complaints over the last few months.

Richmond police are working with other departments in Contra Costa County to try and address concerns from residents.

Illegal fireworks shows are lighting up the night sky all over the Bay Area. Some new numbers indicate the nightly shows in the skies are happening in San Francisco, Richmond, Oakland and San Jose.

“It seems to be a lot worse this year than years in the past,” said RIchmond resident Jan Mignone.

Richmond police say over the last three months, it has received more than 1,200 fireworks-related calls. Last month it got more than 400 calls, an 82 percent increase compared to June 2019.

“It’s definitely a Bay Area and nationwide issue, and not just a Richmond issue,” said Richmond Police Lt. Matt Stonebraker.

Along with the Contra Costa District Attorney’s office, Richmond, El Cerrito, and San Pablo police departments participated in a regional fireworks roundtable discussion online Wednesday.

“The people that are using them are suffering no consequences for using them or selling them,” said TNT Fireworks spokesperson Dennis Revell.

“Because they are ignited from different areas of the city, it’s really hard to pinpoint exactly where they’re coming from,” said Stonebraker.

“In these communities local law-enforcement and the scope of the problem has gotten so big they’re the only line of defense to stop them,” said Revell.

Some say the uptick is related to ongoing racial justice protests, while others believe it’s related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s hard to say why other than people are probably really bored right now. It’s been what… three-and-a-half months,” said Mignone.

Richmond Police say residents should videotape the fireworks, if possible, and call in with specific information about the locations. It is offering a cash rewards for information leading to confiscations and citations.

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Crews quickly doused a two-acre grass fire at India Basin Shoreline Park in San Francisco’s Bayview District Thursday afternoon.

The blaze was the result of illegal fireworks, according to the San Francisco Fire Department, which reported there were no structures damaged and no injuries in a series of posts on social media beginning at 5:29 p.m.

UPDATE- FIRE CONTAINED

Today’s two acre grassfire at India Basin Shoreline park in the Bayview was caused by fireworks Luckily ”LUCKILY” nobody's home burnt down, and nobody got injured. https://t.co/Tpe3xCdQyE pic.twitter.com/1IsI8rKF7B

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) June 26, 2020

Fire departments across the state are scrambling to deal with a slew of blazes sparked by illegal fireworks this year.

SAN JOSE (KPIX) — Police and fire departments across the Bay Area are warning residents they could face fines for lighting off fireworks this year as they continue to see an increase in complaints.

The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District reported a four-fold increase in fireworks-related calls this year.

Morgan Hill police said on Thursday that fines would triple between July 1 and July 7. The first violation is $300, the second $600 and a third violation runs to $1,500.

Frustration has mounted among residents across the Bay Area and beyond who have taken to social media and neighborhood forums about what appears to be an increase of illegal fireworks being set off this year.

“This year, they’ve been going off like crazy,” said Alviso resident Lissette Dominguez.

Alviso has traditionally seen fireworks displays in the streets as a coordinated neighborhood effort. In 2018, KPIX showed damage to a car by fireworks and piles of debris left behind after the Independence Day holiday.

“Fourth of July has always been a tradition that’s brought people from even out of the little town here,” said Arsenio Rodriguez who grew up in Alviso.

In San Jose, city leaders are again pushing a program created for residents to take a picture or video of a violator and report it online at sanjose.gov/fireworks

In 2018, despite about 1,100 online complaints, only four citations were handed out because of lack of information.

Only time will tell if law enforcement across the Bay Area will crack down even harder this year as more people are expected to stay home because of the pandemic, especially as legal fireworks shows are canceled.

A police source told KPIX that one theory for the increase in illegal fireworks shows is that the legal shows have been called off.

Both Dominguez and Rodriguez believe Alviso residents will continue their tradition of lighting off fireworks this year but they may tone it down because of COVID-19 concerns.

“The gatherings are probably going to be smaller,” said Dominguez.

“I still think people are going to show up,” Rodriguez said. “Just to walk the streets, just to see if anyone is lighting off fireworks.”

OAKLAND (CBS SF) — The greatest fear of Oakland firefighters over illegal fireworks became a reality early Sunday as a blaze erupted in the woods near the Oak Knoll Golf Links.

Oakland fire officials posted on Twitter that blaze erupted near Crest Ave. and Fontaine St. at around 3:09 a.m. Arriving crews quickly elevated the response to three alarms as flames were spreading among the trees and brush.

In all 56 firefighters were rushed to the scene to halt the wildfire’s spread.

The fire’s advance was stopped at 2 1/2 acres in the early morning hours with crews remaining on the scene to monitor and extinguish hot spots.

Officials said no structures were threatened and no injuries reported. The cause of the fire was the illegal use of fireworks.

Concerns were elevated as Sunday evening approached with the National Weather Service warning of strong, gusty winds overnight.

DUBLIN (CBS SF) – Hundreds of pounds of illegal fireworks were seized in the East Bay, according to the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office.

In Dublin, authorities seized a few hundred pounds of illegal pyrotechnics that were not ‘safe and sane.’

“Not a big seizure,” said Alameda Co. Sheriff’s Office a tweet. “But a reminder these are very dangerous and impact vulnerable people and animals. We will have extra patrols out the rest of the week to address firework issues.”

A few hundred pounds of fireworks seized by @DublinCAPolice with ACSO Bomb Squad. Not a big seizure but a reminder these are very dangerous and impact vulnerable people and animals. We will have extra patrols out the rest of the week to address firework issues. pic.twitter.com/YKb6onzf8M

— Alameda County Sheriff (@ACSOSheriffs) July 1, 2020

California-sanctioned ‘Safe and Sane Fireworks’ packages are legal in many parts of the state, including Dublin. They include an assortment of fireworks like sparklers and fountains, that stay on the ground and are not projectiles or explosives.

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) — Police and fire crews were on alert Friday trying to get illegal fireworks off Bay Area streets as demand for fireworks rose among people looking for alternatives to canceled public fireworks shows.

As the Fourth of July weekend arrived, residents have seen illegal fireworks lighting up the skies around the Bay Area for weeks now, in areas where the grass, shrubs and trees are already bone dry.

“You could hear big pops, big booms,” said Oakland Hills resident Edward Loo. “It started probably three weeks, four weeks ago. Some of them sound like gunshots – bang bang bang bang.”

Oakland police confiscated 110 pounds of illegal fireworks Friday afternoon near International Boulevard. A no-questions-asked drop-off bucket at Oakland Fire Department’s Bancroft Station is nearly empty now after Cal Fire collected the stash, but had been filled to the brim before.

The Oakland Fire Department is staffing five extra engines for the July 4th weekend with the potential for fire danger so high.

“You have the illegal fireworks, of course, we are in fire season, we have people who have been suffering through a pandemic and they are looking to get out and do something different,” said Assistant Chief Robert Lipp. “We expect to see many, many fires tomorrow. We have had 15 wildfires just since Monday.”

Across the Bay, firefighters will have extra eyes on dry hillsides thanks to trained EMS volunteers like Penny and Pat Barrett. The couple will be stationed at Foothill Park in Palo Alto ready to call in illegal activity.

“We’ll be watching for indications of fires – columns of smoke or maybe visible flames,” the couple said. Hearing sounds and trying to track them, that’s much harder to do.”

Loo has vivid memories of stopping traffic on Snake Road to evacuate his wife during the ’91 Oakland Hills fire. He has a message for people tempted to light off fireworks tomorrow.

“We have to grow up some to take responsibility,” Loo said. “I know that personal rights is valued but at the same time you have to look at the bigger picture and be responsible.”

OAKLAND (KPIX) — The Fourth of July holiday weekend is typically a time for family gatherings and fireworks but, with civic celebrations canceled, there’s concern over illegal fireworks and the dangers they pose.

At Lake Merritt in Oakland, neighbors say it’s sounded like July 4 since March. Illegal fireworks have been going off almost every night and the Oakland fire department is getting ready for what’s expected to be a very busy weekend.

Many residents say they won’t miss the canceled fireworks show this year.

“It’s fine because there are so many illegal fireworks all over,” said Mark Wagner, an Oakland resident. “We live over here and we get a whole display every night.”

“It’s just too much — they go until 3 a.m.,” said Maureen Ibiri. “It’s fire season! It’s just irresponsibility and I’m not a fan of it.”

On Friday night, officers with the Oakland police department were responding to calls of illegal fireworks. Oakland Fire will deploy five additional crews over the weekend, three of them will be patroling the Lake Merritt area.

“We expect to see many many fires tomorrow — we’ve had 15 since Monday,” said Robert Lipp, assistant fire chief of the Oakland fire department.

A small brush fire broke out Friday night at Mountain Boulevard and Fontaine Court near the location of a fire on Sunday that was caused by fireworks.

Oakland police have also been busy, a 110-pound haul of high-grade illegal fireworks was confiscated near International Boulevard on Friday.

In an effort to get the pyrotechnics off the streets, Oakland Fire has placed buckets throughout the city to collect fireworks. All in an effort to keep everyone safe and sane this Fourth of July.

Additional fire crews will be on patrol starting at 8 a.m. Saturday and continuing through the weekend.

CONCORD (KPIX) — After a very busy Friday night, Contra Costa Fire Protection District is bracing for a hectic Fourth of July.

“Yesterday we had 13 different fires — three of which we know were caused by fireworks,” explained Capt. Tracie Dutter with Contra Costa Fire. “So we had a pretty busy evening.”

The evening was busy — even with extra staff on duty in anticipation of trouble. Like much of the Bay Area this county has seen an explosion of illegal fireworks in recent weeks.

“Loud, every night,” said Luis Arroyo. “It’s just been a lot of fireworks.”

With a sweeping hillside panorama from his Pittsburg home, Arroyo can see the show every year.

“Compared to over 20 years, this is the worst I’ve ever seen,” he says.

All fireworks are illegal in Contra Costa County but there is no easy way to keep them out.

“You can get it in other states,” Dutter said. “You can get it in Mexico. So it’s hard to say exactly where it’s coming from.”

Saturday night, fire officials are preparing for another round of pyrotechnics.

“We are expecting another busy night,” Dutter said. “We will have two task forces out tonight. We are setting up our mobile command unit so we are up-staffing in preparation.”

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — The city’s annual Fourth of July fireworks show on the Embarcadero may have been canceled this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic but that didn’t stop residents from lighting up the skies with illegal fireworks.

In addition, a fire reported about 9:30 a.m. Sunday was burning multiple acres at the Gleneagles Golf Course at McLaren Park, with about 25 department personnel at the scene.

Fireworks also sparked a blaze on a rooftop at 2500 Arelious Walker Dr.

Incident resolved no damage no injuries 2221 Hrs https://t.co/qRvetWUrYI

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

The San Francisco fire department said it responded to 110 fires between 3 p.m. Sunday and 3 a.m. Sunday, with all but two attributed to fireworks.

There were multiple reports of fireworks and sideshows happening throughout the city’s Mission District.

Over a two-hour period Saturday night, San Francisco firefighters were called out to more than a dozen blazes.

GRASS FIRE WISCONSIN AND 25th AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/G2sRVtchfa

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Grass Fire 598 Dolores AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/wwir9FWD06

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Grass Fire Little Hollywood Park AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/br4JWy3Q92

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Grass Fire Lake and 24th AVE AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/t6HO6bKxuE

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE JUDAH AND GREAT HWY 2223 Hrs pic.twitter.com/8ThCAkOKQh

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE

105 APTOS

2500 ARELIOUS WALKER

GILROY AND INGERSON pic.twitter.com/O5yGfprNKB

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Grass Fire Texas and 18th AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/7tKJiyrQ0u

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE 182 MIDDLE POINT AVOID AREA 2156 Hrs pic.twitter.com/cX9TGIP7yS

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE NORTHRIDGE AND INGALLS AVOID AREA 2156 hrs pic.twitter.com/cCpG3X5zEH

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE 16th and Shotwell Avoid Area pic.twitter.com/eXv8pMmItT

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

WILLAND FIRE 550 BUENA VISTA AV AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/dRQau1ClU6

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE SAN BRUNO AND CAMPBELL AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/uumkQuTi2g

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE 902 ELLIS AVOID ARE pic.twitter.com/yqDpj7ej8v

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

WILDLAND FIRE 1792 SUNNYDALE AVOID AREA 2129 Hrs pic.twitter.com/ombAl61R5M

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

WILDLAND FIRE 1199 THOMAS STRICTURES THREATENED AVOID AREA 2127 Hrs pic.twitter.com/BAfIpxDpPk

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

OUTSIDE FIRE 2571 30th AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/wCAU26C7sI

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE INGALLS AND CARROLL AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/Y7dya9KASF

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

GRASS FIRE SUNNYDALE AND PERSIA AVOID AREA pic.twitter.com/zRYpXYplLg

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

3 ACRE WILDLAND FIRE 50 CAGO WY 1 STRUCTURE THREATENED (Hunters Point, San Francisco) Live on @CitizenAppSFO https://t.co/6D9xAmaZbR

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Grass Fire Gilman Playground pic.twitter.com/Q4mLssUPNu

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Wildfire at John McLaren Park 80 percent contained forward progress stopped No structures threatened (Visitacion Valley, San Francisco) Live on @CitizenAppSFO https://t.co/tux7MSUHDO

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

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MORGAN HILL (CBS SF) — As dawn rose Sunday, firefighters across the San Francisco Bay Area were able to finally breath of sigh of relief as the night of 100 or more fire calls came to an end, dozens and dozens of the blazes triggered by the use of illegal fireworks.

The COVID-19 pandemic had forced local officials to cancel the annual July 4 fireworks celebration over fears of the large gatherings the pyrotechnic shows usually draw. That left the night to the amateurs and they came out in what seemed like record numbers.

The largest overnight fire was still burning near Anderson Lake east of Morgan Hill. The so-called Park Fire had grown to 100 acres overnight, was still threatening homes and evacuations were still in place for residents living in the Finley Ridge area, Cal Fire said early Sunday.

Calfire spokesman Chuck Carroll said there was zero containment early Sunday and crews were attempting to halt the fire’s advance at Finley Ridge.

Calfire and Santa Clara County firefighters were on the scene, hoping that daylight and air support would finally allow them to gain some contain of the blaze. A cause of the fire was still under investigation.

The Park Fire was among the at least 20 vegetation and structure blazes Santa Clara County firefighters battled late Saturday night.

In Contra Costa County, firefighters found themselves under siege. As soon as darkness fell Saturday, phones at the county fire dispatch lit up like a Christmas tree.

Between 7 p.m. and midnight, officials said they responded to 67 fire calls with the peak coming around 9 p.m. In all, there were 10 structure fires and 27 vegetation blazes. At least 16 blazes were caused by fireworks.

On Twitter posts throughout the night, the plight of department became very apparent.

“Con Fire is currently on scene 12 grass, vegetation and structure fires across the District. In the 9 pm hour we have responded to more than 50 fires. Due to the overwhelming volume of fires we are reducing responses to all but structure fires,” read one tweet.

“Several of these are threatening structures & many caused by fireworks — beyond irresponsible in these conditions, threatening residents, firefighters & homes,” read another.

But because of the firefighters’ all-out efforts, Contra Costa officials said not one structure was lost during the night.

In San Francisco, a similar dilemma unfolded. Fireworks sparked more than a dozen fires throughout the city. One of the largest was a four-acre blaze in Mclaren Park which was halted as it approached several homes in the neighborhood.

Fireworks also sparked a blaze on a rooftop at 2500 Arelious Walker Dr. and a fire in the Hunter’s Point neigborhood.

3 ACRE WILDLAND FIRE 50 CAGO WY 1 STRUCTURE THREATENED (Hunters Point, San Francisco) Live on @CitizenAppSFO https://t.co/6D9xAmaZbR

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Fire officials reported more than 20 fires over the course of the evening, including grass fires and structure fires, after 10:30 p.m.

This fire last night ended up being 6 acres with over a dozen motor homes (Homes) saved by #YOURSFFD. No injuries. https://t.co/sWzce22WLD pic.twitter.com/qRMi0AnP3D

— SAN FRANCISCO FIRE DEPARTMENT MEDIA (@SFFDPIO) July 5, 2020

Among many efforts, firefighters were also able to contain a structure fire on Palm Avenue around 11 p.m. There were also multiple reports of fireworks and sideshows happening throughout the city’s Mission District.

Alameda County also did not escape the onslaught as illegal fireworks lit up the skies from Berkeley to Hayward. Dozens of fires were reported.

In San Leandro, crews battled a vegetation fire that damaged a commercial building at Neptune Dr. and Williams St.

There was a brush fire at Patterson Pass and South Vasco.

There was a vegetation fire at Thornton Ave. and Hickory St. in Newark.

And one on Wells Ave. in Newark.

Fortunately, no injuries were reported among the firefighters.

CONCORD (KPIX) — Bay Area fire officials warned that illegal fireworks were creating an extreme fire danger leading into the Fourth of July holiday and it looks like their predictions came true.

At more than 10 acres, a fire just off Highway 4 on the border of Pittsburg and Concord was the largest in Contra Costa on Saturday night but it was by no means the only one.

With windy, drier-than-usual conditions, fire crews spent the evening running from fire to fire sparked by amateur pyrotechnics. Fires in Antioch, Brentwood and West Oakland. A blaze in McLaren Park in San Francisco was just one of the 100 fires reported by SFFD and, in the San Jose hills, when the fireworks started at dusk, they just didn’t stop.

“Just a significant amount of illegal fireworks activity,” said Contra Costa County Fire Protection District Capt. George Laing, “almost to the point where the noise is continuous. That the flashes and bangs are continuous for hours at a time.”

Laing said, between their engines, hand crews and bulldozers, ConFire had about 60 additional firefighters on duty and responded to 67 fire calls overnight. Laing said most of the grass fires were small ones, like one near a school parking lot in San Pablo. But the sheer number of outbreaks severely stretched resources.

“The fireworks activity that occurred last night and number of fires were so extreme that we were reduced to a single engine response to what normally would have been a full-alarm assignment,” he said.

A woman named Vera, who lives near the school, said the fireworks had been relentless all week with some of them being touched off right in the middle of the busy street. She said, with public fireworks shows canceled and people stuck in their homes, the nightly amateur displays are really a form of rebellion.

“That’s their way of doing something,” she said. “Control — it’s their control. They’re going to say, ‘well, I’m not going to have people tell me what I can and can’t do.'”

But those who fight the fires say it’s a dangerous game to play.

“Each one of those is a potential ignition,” said Capt. Laing. “It could be somebody’s home. It could be uncontrolled vegetation that burns towards neighborhoods or homes. All of it is extraordinarily dangerous.”

“You see what happened in Sonoma,” Vera said, “the whole neighborhood caught on fire. The same thing could happen here.”

SAN JOSE (CBS SF) — Illegal firework usage nearly tripled this year in San Jose compared to last year and the city needs a new way to enforce and control it.

That is what San Jose leaders unanimously said on Tuesday during their City Council meeting.

“I think it’s probably time for us to think differently because obviously it isn’t working,” Mayor Sam Liccardo said. “We have community members and neighborhood leaders who have been engaged in this for 50 years say ‘Hey guys, nobody thinks this is working.'”

Liccardo and the council voted to reevaluate the protocol for issuing citations for those using illegal fireworks — asking for more flexibility with issuing citations.

Currently, the main way a citation can be issued is if a community member or neighbor reports firework use on the San Jose city website or hotline, captures photos or videos of the fireworks and then testifies against that person to ensure there is sufficient evidence.

All of that is needed or else the city’s Planning, Building and Code Enforcement cannot issue any citation and hold the party accountable, City Attorney Nora Frimann said.

“A couple of years ago there were several, I think 40-some odd citations that had to be dismissed because of not having anything to back them up and people were saying ‘I don’t have fireworks’ and we had nothing other than a record through the website saying you did,” Frimann said. “That is part of the reasons we were trying to get more information so that codes could act on it.”

In 2020, there were 6,601 online reports of illegal fireworks during a period of several weeks around the Fourth of July, nearly three times higher than a similar timeframe last year. Of those reports, 335 were actionable, meaning there were photos or video evidence. Of those 335 actionable reports, only four citations were issued by the city’s Planning, Building and Code Enforcement division. This is because only four of those reporters were willing to testify against the person using the fireworks.

Of the total online reports, about a third were incomplete, which also limited the ability of code enforcement officials to respond.

Liccardo suggested that the online reporting tool be updated so that it was clear photo/video evidence and a completed report were necessary to merit any response from the city.

“If we are really adamant that we need photographic evidence, that doesn’t really come through 1/8the website 3/8 … and we need to clearly convey that ‘Hey if this is incomplete we are not going to be able to actually issue a citation,'” Liccardo said.

“It would be helpful for us to have that sort of engagement with folks so we can really get reports that are actionable and hopefully end up in citations,” he said.

Citations can also be issued by police, but San Jose Police Capt. Michael Kihmm said when police arrive at the scene, culprits disperse and if they don’t, they deny using fireworks and officers cannot prove who set them off.

This year, San Jose police arrested three people and gave out one citation. The city’s police and fire departments also confiscated about 450 pounds of illegal fireworks. In comparison, last year they confiscated about 300 pounds.

Councilmember Johnny Khamis said the increased use of illegal fireworks was likely because there were no organized firework shows on the Fourth of July as a result of COVID-19 shutdowns. He also noted that a citation was the most effective deterrent.

“Enforcement should be where it is at,” Khamis said. “Nothing discourages people more than getting a ticket.”

Councilmember Dev Davis noted that fireworks did not only pose as a noise nuisance but scare veterans and pets and is a threat to public safety.

“Illegal fireworks cause the most consternation for our veterans and pets and frankly the messaging has to be about vets and pets,” Davis said. “I think those are a more compelling message for people to remind them to have some empathy.”

In terms of public safety, fires started by illegal fireworks more than tripled from 15 in 2019 to 54 in 2020 — 34 of which were vegetation fires and 9 building fires.

The fire department also received a 430 percent increase in the number of firework-related calls, two of which led to medical emergencies. In the last four years, none of the firework-related calls required an emergency response, according to fire department data.

Deputy Fire Chief Hector Estrada noted that enforcement was a main component of halting the use of illegal fireworks, but also noted that effective messaging, targeted advertising and education would also be an effective method.

“Behavioral changes require effective and timely messaging,” Estrada said. “We were able to use data and were more effective with our reach in our community context.”

He noted the targeting messaging led to a 300 percent increase in web pageviews, bus and billboard ads garnered over 5 million impressions and click-through rates for online ads went up 500 percent.

Councilmember Pam Foley said that she would much rather see a team of active community members spearhead messaging for San Jose instead of hiring an “expensive consultant,” but ultimately the best strategy is to issue more citations to violators.

However, a citation is similar to a criminal offense, so the city attorney’s office recommended giving out warnings instead of citations when there was not enough evidence, Frimann said.

This year, 331 warnings were issued and in 2019 there were 150 according to the fire department data. Councilmember Raul Peralez said issuing too many warnings, however, could backfire.

“If we spend too many years in a row and too many holidays in a row issuing warning letters to the potential same people, at this point … people know that we are doing essentially nothing besides warning letters,” Peralez said.

San Jose resident Tina Morro suggested the city use drones and allocate more overtime to police so that those using illegal fireworks would be caught.

However, San Jose resident Robert Bender fervently disagreed and called the banning of illegal fireworks “totally un-American.”

Frimann said her office will look at ways to increase citations issued in a legal and fair way.

To report illegal firework activity, people can visit https://www.sanjoseca.gov/your-government/departments/fire-department/public-education/fireworks-rules-laws.

JanaKadah/BCNFoundation

© Copyright 2020 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

DISCOVERY BAY (CBS SF) — A Discovery Bay resident will have to pay a hefty fine for putting on an illegal fireworks show last July 4th using professional-grade fireworks on a barge tied to a dock at his home, fire officials announced Thursday.

Originally, a $52,650 fine was issued to the unidentified resident after a neighbor’s complaint according to the East Contra Costa Fire Protection District (ECCFPD). The resident appealed the fine and was during the appeal process was able to reduce the fine by 50% to $26,325.

A decision upholding the fine was issued on February 18 and the fire district released the information Thursday after the allotted time for final appeal.

Aside from the illegal fireworks show on the waters of Discovery Bay, the ECCFPD said last July 4th firefighters responded to 114 calls for service and 29 calls for fires, with 125 acres burned and $20,000 in property losses. Two burn injuries were also reported to a father and child, 70 citations were issued, and 100 pounds of illegal fireworks seized.

“On June 25, 2020 the Fire District put out a press release urging everyone to avoid the temptation of putting yourself and your neighbors at risk and reminded the public that Contra Costa County is a firework-free zone,” said ECCFPD President Brian Oftedal in a prepared statement. “It is unfortunate that these warnings were blatantly ignored and that our community was placed at increased risk. I am hopeful that this incident will serve as an eye opener to our communities and discourages individuals from violating local and county ordinances in the future.”

“With the District’s limited resources of only three stations available to respond to fires, our Prevention Division works to eliminate all potential fires within the District,” said ECCFPD Fire Marshal Steve Aubert in a prepared statement.

Across the Bay Area last July 4th, fire districts dealt with more than 100 fire calls, with dozens of blazes sparked by the use of illegal fireworks.

With the COVID-19 pandemic forcing local officials to cancel annual July 4 fireworks celebrations to avoid large gatherings, people took it upon themselves to fire up fireworks in seemingly record numbers.

SAN MATEO COUNTY (BCN) – The San Mateo County Board of Supervisors is cracking down on illegal fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July and the 2021 fire season.

The board on Tuesday passed an ordinance that increases the fines for illegal fireworks to $1,000 per violation. The ordinance goes into effect 30 days after its passage.

According to the county’s laws, all fireworks are illegal to have, sell or use in unincorporated areas of San Mateo County without a permit. Even fireworks labeled as “safe” — like sparklers, fountains, snakes or smoke balls — are illegal.

The new $1,000 fine for each offense is 10 times more than the previous fine, which was $100 for a first offense.

It’s the first time in 35 years that the county is changing its fireworks laws. The change comes amid complaints from residents about smoke, explosions and noise. Fireworks can also spark wildfires, which are more likely during the dry conditions and high temperatures expected this year.

Supervisor Warren Slocum, who co-sponsored the new ordinance along with Supervisor Don Horsley, said in a statement that he has heard complaints from his constituents about unpermitted fireworks. Slocum is supervisor for District 4, which includes Redwood City, East Palo Alto, Menlo Park (east of El Camino Real) and the unincorporated North Fair Oaks neighborhood.

“They are very concerned for their safety and that of their neighborhood. So am I — and that is why this new ordinance with the increased fines is so important,” Slocum said.

People who violate the fireworks law and cause serious injury or property damage of more than $1,000 can also receive a misdemeanor along with the $1,000 fine and/or up to six months in jail. This applies even if violations occur on their own property.

While the county’s ordinance only applies to unincorporated areas, several cities have their own laws prohibiting fireworks.

Law enforcement agencies are also prepared to enforce the county’s fireworks law.

San Mateo County Sheriff Carlos Bolanos encouraged people to report illegal fireworks to local law enforcement.

“We understand that families want to celebrate, especially as COVID restrictions are eased, however fireworks are not only illegal, they can result is serious injuries and the destruction of property,” Bolanos said in a statement.

Local fire officials also support the ordinance.

Deputy Chief of Cal Fire’s San Mateo County Division Jonathan Cox said the fireworks restrictions could help prevent accidental injuries and reduce the chances of local wildfires.

“With over 90 percent of all wildfires in California being caused by human activity, we believe these restrictions are more important than ever to protect the communities we serve,” Cox said in a statement.

Last year’s fire season was one of the most destructive fire seasons in California. Lightning strikes sparked a series of fires across the state, including the CZU Lightning Complex fires — which burned almost 90,000 acres in southern San Mateo County and northern Santa Cruz County.

According to Cal Fire, California’s fire season is starting earlier and ending later each year, as dry conditions and high temperatures increase the risk for wildfires.

On Wednesday, Cal Fire added San Mateo County to the list of Bay Area counties where burn permits are suspended. The suspension, which took effect Thursday, bans all outdoor burning except at organized campgrounds or on private property.

Five Bay Area counties — Alameda, Contra Costa, Sonoma, Solano and Napa — are also under a drought state of emergency.

More information on San Mateo County’s fireworks ordinance is available at https://sanmateocounty.legistar.com/LegislationDetail.aspx?ID=4956450&GUID=D2237E55-02DA-4BB9-9315-D003CE3D8CB2&FullText=1.

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

SAN JOSE (KPIX) — As the drought brings even drier conditions this year, the San Jose fire department as well as residents are concerned about the potential of illegal fireworks sparking a wildfire as we near the Fourth of July holiday.

“What we were seeing last year really wasn’t the safe and sane fireworks, we were seeing professional grade fireworks,” said San Jose Fire public information manager Erica Ray. “Our department was stretched beyond its limits, every fire station was out responding to fireworks-related calls.”

Ray said that last Independence Day, San Jose received more than 6,000 online reports of illegal fireworks — more than triple the number of online reports it had received the previous year.

This year, there is the same concern.

“Very obviously, there was a flood of illegal fireworks into the market in 2020,” Ray said. “There are companies selling those fireworks that probably stand to have a very high profit margin again this year.”

Fire officials wonder where people obtain the fireworks. A quick search on Craigslist in the Bay Area shows several illegal explosives up for sale, demonstrating how easy it is to buy or sell them.

Those are just the little guys. Last month, Oakland police confiscated a pickup truck full of fireworks.

“The fire department sees the tragedy of these fires, we see people lose their homes, we see people hurt and injured, property damaged,” Ray said.

“Well, seems like that’s a good target to go after then — is the people that are selling it,” said San Jose resident William Richards.

Richards as well as Amanda Nguyen live near Interstate 680, where a series of vegetation fires last month burned dangerously close to their homes.

“I put a respirator on because it was bad enough that I was a little worried if I didn’t put on a respirator I’d be coughing,” Richards said.

That blaze wasn’t caused by fireworks but Nguyen said she saw first-hand how quickly flames can burn drought-dried vegetation.

“That could be your home too,” Nguyen said. “That is another thing I’m concerned about. Will I lose the home I had and known? It’s kind of scary, it’s really scary.”

This year, the San Jose city council enacted a new “social host ordinance” which fines tenants and homeowners for fireworks set off on their properties.

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY (KPIX 5) — With a dry summer looming, authorities in Contra Costa County said the crackdown on illegal fireworks is about to ramp up.

Firefighters told KPIX 5 that a combination of extreme drought conditions and what they saw last summer is what has them concerned. A year ago, firefighters responded to what they describe as an “unprecedented” number of fires related to illegal fireworks.

Less than 2 weeks ago, an apartment complex in Antioch went up in flames, damaging or destroying eight units, and displacing some 40 residents, fire officials say, because of an illegal firework ignited nearby.

“These are serious fires, damaging property and threatening the entire community,” said Contra Costa County District Attorney Diana Becton.

Concord resident Scott Ramos told KPIX 5, “With the high fire danger everything is so tinder dry and especially in this area. Lyme Ridge nearby just burned up yesterday.”

With 85% of the state in extreme drought, there’s even more concern this year about illegal fireworks blasted into the sky, landing on tinder dry grass, trees, and homes nearby.

“Fireworks that are projectile, that leave the ground are the most dangerous because you don’t know where they’re going to go,” said Chief Lewis Broschard of the Contra Costa Fire Protection District.

Fire officials said illegal fireworks ignited more than 100 fires in June and July alone last year in Contra Costa County.

“It’s just an unacceptable number, and it creates an environment where we don’t have the resources to adequately handle all these fires,” said Broschard.

This year, homeowners will be held responsible for fireworks set off from their property after the Contra Costa Board of Supervisors passed a new ordinance, strengthening regulations.

“There are too many ways to get them. There’s too many people the know how to get them and the underground black market is just huge. It’s unstoppable,” said Ramos.

Under the new ordinance, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office has the authority to issue citations to property owners.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, fireworks cause 18,500 fires a year.

MENLO PARK (BCN) – Menlo Park’s City Council cracked down on illegal fireworks ahead of the Fourth of July, approving new laws on Tuesday night.

The City Council passed a temporary urgency ordinance, effective immediately, in which people who sell or use illegal fireworks could face $1,000 fines and/or up to six months in jail.

Councilmember Cecilia Taylor said the ordinance came forward at the request of some of her constituents, who have been impacted by the increasing fireworks in their community.

“Over the past several years, especially last year, the amount of illegal fireworks in the city of Menlo Park was unbearable for a lot of people,” Taylor said. Taylor represents District 1, where the Belle Haven neighborhood is located.

In addition to being an annoyance to the community, fireworks may also cause injuries, damage property or increase the risk of fires.

Taylor acknowledged the recent work of the Police Department in getting illegal fireworks off the streets but said that policy was also important as a tool for enforcement.

Councilmembers voted unanimously in favor of the ordinance, though Councilmembers Ray Mueller and Jen Wolosin expressed concerns that the penalties could be too harsh and have a disproportionate impact on lower-income families.

“When I think about the impacts of fines and things on lower income people, you know, $1,000 can really be debilitating,” Wolosin said.

Mueller said that six months in jail seemed like a lot but he would support the council in its decision.

Councilmembers supported possibly reducing the fine or having a sliding scale of fine amounts depending on the violation.

Menlo Park Police Chief David Norris said that there will be an education campaign to ensure that the public is aware of the new laws. He said officers will also be trained to use discretion when enforcing the law.

“Part of this is an education campaign with the tool of enforcement,” Norris said. “The idea would be to keep people from doing this type of behavior that could create injury and fire damage, et cetera.”

Norris said that they needed to put something in place, as police had limited ability to enforce state laws in the past.

“I hope this doesn’t sound too harsh, but I would think of it in the same terms that we think about stop signs or red lights. There’s a really easy way to avoid the fines that go with stop signs and red lights and that is to just stop,” Norris said.

Mayor Drew Combs said he understood the penalties may seem draconian but said that “to some degree, that is the intent.”

Combs said fireworks had become a major quality of life issue for the community, as they have woken people up late at night, scared children and pets and made people fearful.

Councilmembers asked to receive a report on how enforcement has been going either monthly or after the Fourth of July holiday season, after which they could revisit the laws and make changes if needed.

The council also approved the first reading of a regular ordinance, which would go into effect later and allow for ongoing enforcement. The temporary urgency ordinance would expire once the regular ordinance becomes effective.

Menlo Park’s ordinance models San Mateo County’s recently updated laws. On May 18, the county’s Board of Supervisors approved increased fines and possible jail time for people who sell or use illegal fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county.

The agenda and staff reports for Tuesday’s meeting are available at https://www.menlopark.org/AgendaCenter/ViewFile/Agenda/_06082021-3626.

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News Service. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

OAKLAND (CBS SF) – An Oakland man has been arrested and 165 pounds of illegal fireworks were seized following a crackdown by Oakland Police ahead of the July 4 holiday.

Police on Tuesday received several tips from people in the community of a person selling illegal fireworks in the area of 73^rd and Garfield Avenues, near the Eastmont Town Center. During the investigation, community resource officers said they found a man who arranged a fireworks display in the back of a large utility truck.

Officers arrested the man, whose identity was not released. The truck was towed and the fireworks were confiscated and taken to a safe location.

“There were patrons that actually showed up at the truck wanting to buy fireworks. The officers arrested the male adult, who was in possession of 165 pounds of illegal fireworks,” said Oakland police officer Kim Armstead.

Illegal fireworks seized in East Oakland on June 22, 2021. (Oakland Police Department)

Police said the suspect is also linked to a traffic stop on May 23 where approximately 20 boxes of illegal fireworks were seized.

“You have to realize it’s dry and can cause a lot of fires — we don’t have the resources in a drought. People need to wake up. It’s gonna set other people’s homes on fire, you know, cause problems. They just need to stop,” said Oakland resident Tony Wallace.

Authorities throughout the Bay Area have stepped up enforcement against illegal fireworks, with the 4th of July looming and amid record dry conditions due to the drought. Officials in neighboring Contra Costa County said they have seized about 300 pounds of fireworks following multiple operations over a 30-day span.

In Oakland, fines for being caught with so-called “safe and sane” fireworks can range up to $1,000. People with “large quantities” of fireworks can receive penalties from $5,000  to $10,000 and  face possible imprisonment.

Locals say a constant detonation of fireworks lately has become the soundtrack of the night.

“After a while it takes its toll — after midnight and well into the early morning — then it becomes a real problem,” said Paul Garrison. With the July 4 weekend approaching, residents kept awake say it’s not just the noise that interrupts their sleep now.

“There’s a fire danger now so we’re in a very different space because of the drought. It’s probably prudent to kind of crack down at this point,” Garrison said.

The Oakland Fire Department has set up firework collection barrels at several stations. Collection sites are located at Station 1 on Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Station 3 on 14^th Street, Station 4 on International Boulevard, Station 5 on 34^th Street, Station 18 on Bancroft Avenue and Station 20 on 98^th Avenue.

Police have a set up an illegal fireworks tip line which can be reached at 510-777-8814.

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. KPIX 5’s Andria Borba contributed to this report

REDWOOD CITY (CBS SF) — San Mateo County Sheriff’s investigators have broken up a major illegal fireworks distribution ring, serving a number of search warrants this week and seizing some 15,000 pounds of fireworks.

The sheriff’s office identified two suspects in the case, 61-year-old San Francisco resident Sam San and 54-year-old Jennifer Nguyen of San Jose. San was booked into San Mateo County Jail on charges of selling and possessing dangerous fireworks. Charges were still being filed against Nguyen, the sheriff’s office said.

Sam San (San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office)

The investigation was conducted over the past two months by the sheriff’s crime suppression unit, which linked San and Nguyen to sales of fireworks in San Mateo County. Detectives identified two homes and a warehouse in Oakland associated with the operation the sheriff’s office said.

On Wednesday and Thursday, detectives executed a number of search warrants in the counties of San Mateo, San Francisco, Alameda and Santa Clara. Aside from the 15,000 pounds of illegal fireworks, detectives seized approximately $1,000,000 in cash.

“As far as this amount of product, and this amount of cash, I think it’s the biggest one in quite some time,” said San Mateo County Sheriff’s Lt. Eamonn Allen.

The undercover officers weren’t just able to buy; they were buying in bulk. They made several purchases, each of them between 500 and 1,000 pounds, for thousands of dollars at a time. While all the purchases were made in San Mateo County, the case branches out across the Bay Area. The suspect, Sam San, lives in San Francisco.

“His warehouse was in Oakland,” Allen said. “And then they were ultimately able to find an additional residence in San Jose where additional fireworks were stored as well.”

The scale of the bust, more than 7 tons, speaks to the scale of the illegal displays we have seen across the region for about a year now. Investigators say the merchandise came from China, and think there’s more behind it that is just stuck in traffic.

“We believe that there may be more on the way, but some of the shipping delays that we have seen recently actually prevented even more tonnage of illegal fireworks from being seized,” explained Allen.

The exact volume of how much in the way of fireworks might be sitting on a container ship somewhere is unknown. The bust netted San Mateo County authorities such a large quantity of fireworks that the sheriff’s office is not quite sure what to do with it.

They’re looking for a safe storage space like a munitions bunker somewhere in California, possibly as far away as Victorville.

As far as the safe disposal of the fireworks, KPIX was told that California environmental rules make it difficult to just incinerate this volume of fireworks. It may have to be taken to another state in the union with less stringent regulations to be destroyed.

The sheriff’s office reminded residents that all fireworks are illegal in unincorporated areas within San Mateo County as well as Sheriff’s Office contract cities and towns and fines can be issued up to $1,000.

Wilson Walker contributed to this report.

OAKLAND (KPIX 5) – Amid one of the driest years on record, a popular fireworks viewing spot in the East Bay hills will be closed on the 4^th of July.

Berkeley and Oakland have teamed up to close Grizzly Peak Boulevard between Skyline and Centennial Drive to non-residents from 5:00 a.m. on July 4th to 5:00 a.m. July 5th.

The scenic road winding high above the East Bay hills has been a common place for people to gather to watch fireworks, and in some cases even light them off.

“We understand people want to have fun and enjoy themselves, but the smallest of an accident, whether it be a cigarette or the smallest of a safe and sane firework, which we don’t allow here anyways, but any spark or any ignition source can create a catastrophic fire,” said Battalion Chief Ryan Meineke with the Oakland Fire Department.

• Fourth of July: Where to Find Bay Area Parades And Fireworks Shows

If a fire were to start along the narrow, winding road, evacuations of residents and visitors would be a problem.

“Access for fire engines and emergency vehicles, police vehicles, ambulances, whatever would be needed if there was an incident, is already tight up there, and if we have thousands of people and hundreds of cars, it makes it extremely difficult,” Meineke told KPIX 5.

The closure comes as authorities in Oakland, the East Bay and across the Bay Area have cracked down on illegal fireworks by making seizures and arrests. Several cities have also approved high fines and even jail time for violators.

Firefighters are staffing up for the holiday weekend, but hope people will celebrate responsibly.

OAKLAND (CBS SF) — It was the night before the Fourth of July and already the skies above East Oakland were aglow with illegal firework displays.

“The fireworks are too much,” East Oakland resident Kirby Thompson told KPIX 5. “It’s been going on since May.”

East Oakland neighbors said every year, people start shooting them off a few months before July 4th. And they typically stop a week after the holiday.

“All hours of the night,” said Thompson, a military veteran. “Anywhere from 2, 3 o’clock in the morning (to) early in the morning. So it’s just a lot of boom, bang. They can get really loud. Sometimes, it sounds like military grade.”

The fireworks keep him and his dog up at night.

“It’s upsetting to (the dog.) It’s just too much,” complained Thompson.

While some hate the fireworks, others love them. Oakland resident Michael Alexander celebrated the holiday and his son’s high school graduation with family and friends at a park Saturday afternoon. They ended the celebration by blasting off fireworks.

“Fun, joy. It’s nothing malicious. It’s really for the kids,” said Alexander. “If you be responsible with what you’re doing, you should be okay.”

When asked if lighting off fireworks would be selfish and wrong, Alexander said “selfish for fireworks? At 3 in the morning in your neighbor’s backyard, yeah. But mid-day, close to the evening, nah.”

Many people said due to the drought, the fireworks are even more dangerous this year.

“The police department can’t do anything cause they’re overwhelmed with other issues, which is understandable. Just kind of have to live with it, unfortunately,” said Thompson.

NEWARK (CBS SF) — Authorities arrested two East Bay men and seized 600 pounds of illegal fireworks from a van in Newark last week.

Undercover officers spotted the suspects about 7 p.m. Friday, allegedly selling the fireworks out of a van in the 37000 block of Elm Street, Newark police said in a news release.

Because the fireworks were deemed dangerous, the Alameda County Sheriff’s Office Explosive Ordinance Disposal Team was called to the scene to take them away for controlled disposal, police said.

In addition, police seized more than $33,000 in cash from the van.

The men, a 19-year-old from Newark and a 53-year-old from Pittsburg, were arrested on suspicion of felony possession of destructive or explosive devices, illegal sales of dangerous fireworks, and possession of dangerous fireworks without valid permit.

They were booked at Santa Rita Jail.

To report someone in possession, selling and/or lighting fireworks, call the Fireworks Hotline at (866)520-7233 (SAFE).

© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. and Bay City News. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed

SAN JOSE (KPIX) — Illegal fireworks shows started even before the sun went down in San Jose this Fourth of July, and lasted well into the night.

In neighborhoods all across the city, and even grocery store parking lots, the booms, the blasts
and the whistles of illegal fireworks filled the air and just kept coming.

“Some really made your body tremble as they exploded over you,” said City Councilmember Sergio Jimenez.

Councilman Jimenez lives in South San Jose and says it’s hard to see what impact the council’s recent actions to combat illegal fireworks have had, such as increased fines and holding property owners liable for what their guests do.

“It’s difficult to tell, given that I just have a snapshot from my district, but I can tell you it
seemed to be more than before. Fundamentally, we are trying to change people’s behavior and that’s always a difficult thing to do.”

The San Jose Police Department reported that from June 1 to July 5, there was a dramatic drop in people reporting illegal fireworks at just over a thousand calls for service, a 49% drop. The department says it issued 10 citations and seized 550 pounds of illegal fireworks.

The Fire Department said despite all the fireworks activity, there were no major structure fires and only a few grass fires that were quickly put out. But it was called a stressful night for understaffed firefighters and dispatchers.

“It becomes overwhelming. Typically, we’ll run 250 calls for service a day. What I have heard is we had well over 300 last night,” said Matt Tuttle, head of the San Jose Firefighters Union.

What many residents were asking is why so many people are lighting off illegal fireworks, out in the open, with no apparent fear of the consequences.

“No one’s really stopping it, said Victor Gomez, who lives on Communications Hill. “People are still doing it. I didn’t see any law enforcement trying to stop people from doing fireworks.”

ANTIOCH (KPIX) — Saturday night, someone setting off fireworks destroyed a house in Antioch, forcing a woman out onto the street and leaving a community wondering why so little is being done to stop the illegal, nightly pyrotechnics.

Talk about fireworks danger and some people think you’re just trying to spoil the party but ask the people who’ve actually lost something and they’ll tell you the party has gone too far. Robin Anderson lost a lot Saturday night. She came home to find her Antioch house on fire and two of her cats missing — all because of someone playing with fireworks.

“It ruined my house … everything I own, is out on my front lawn,” she said. “For what? I don’t even understand why they’re doing it.”

Officials said that, 30 minutes earlier and half a block away, fireworks started a blaze on I Street, destroying a fence and two cars. A battalion chief said that fire likely sent embers into the attic of Anderson’s home.

“I want them to be held responsible,” Anderson said as she sat outside her burning home. “I want somebody that did this to go to jail! … We don’t even know where we’re going to go.”

Residents say their complaints, like the nightly booms from illegal fireworks, have fallen on deaf ears with Antioch police.

“They were right in front of my house,” said neighbor Isela Topete. “I was going to call the police and I see this police car drive by and he didn’t even stop or anything. I said, well, what’s the use?”

Gene Jackson and his sister Denise Tucker, operate a church in the neighborhood and said the traditional July 4 celebration is out of control.

“Something that is fun has now turned into something that could have been fatal for her,” Jackson said. “She could have burned down in the house. So I think that is just evidence alone of how intense it has been happening around here.”

“How do you justify what you did on the tenth, which it should have been done on the Fourth?” Tucker said. “I don’t think the date makes a difference, it’s just that you’re supposed to do the tradition and be done.”

Anderson returned to her home Sunday afternoon and said she was able to find her two missing cats alive but scared, huddling in the water-soaked house. She doesn’t know where she’s going to live but she said she’s leaving Antioch and she had a message for law enforcement about the illegal fireworks.

“If they don’t know where they’re coming from, let us tell you where they’re coming from,” she said. “And then they could put a stop to this because this is just the first of many that’s going to happen if they don’t do something about it.”

Antioch police said Sunday evening that no suspect has been identified.

MORGAN HILL (CBS SF) – Police in Morgan Hill have arrested a man for possession of illegal fireworks, guns and narcotics after fireworks were set off near the city’s downtown last week.

Around 11:50 p.m. on October 28, officers received multiple calls of loud explosions. During an investigation, officers located spent fireworks described “commercial grade” behind the Morgan Hill Tavern.

Nearby residents said two male suspects were last seen walking southbound on Monterey Road.

Following several leads, police said a suspect was identified and warrants were obtained for his arrest and to search his home.

Items, including fireworks and narcotics, seized from a Morgan Hill home in connection with a series of loud explosions on October 28, 2021. (Morgan Hill Police Department)

On Tuesday, officers executed the search warrant at the suspect’s home on Calle Atavio. Police said explosives, illegal fireworks, weapons, narcotics and drug paraphernalia were seized.

The suspect, identified as 25-year-old Joseph Robert Adona, surrendered to police. Adona was booked into the Santa Clara County Jail on multiple charges, including illegal weapons possession, explosives possession, illegal fireworks possession and narcotics possession.

It was not immediately known when Adona would appear in court on the charges.