All over the Bay Area, the skyline is filled with illegal fireworks, and this year, the shows have been happening in various neighborhoods weeks before the Fourth of July.
“They come with pretty big bangs,” said Pittsburg resident Ray Shrestha. “I don’t have the decibels to measure but they’re pretty loud.”
Loud and dangerous, especially now that fire season is fast approaching.
“Those fireworks, no matter how innocuous they may seem, is a chance to start a devastating deadly property destroying wildfire,” said Steve Hill from Contra Costa Fire Protection District.
Bay Area law enforcement agencies are cracking down on fireworks. Alameda County posted pictures of over 500 pounds seized so far.
“Every huge disastrous deadly wildfire started out as a small fire,” said Hill. “Our mission is to keep the small fires small.”
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Fire officials say if history repeats itself, they will be battling 50 or more vegetation fires starting Friday and lasting through Sunday.
If that happens, it will be a challenge they are prepared for.
