'Unprecedented': Con Fire Responds To 93 Fires Over 4th Of July

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — Firefighters with the Contra Costa County Fire Protection District responded to 93 fires, much of those related to fireworks, over the Fourth of July holiday, according to details made available Tuesday of the "unprecedented fire and EMS activity."

During the five-hour period from 7 p.m. to midnight on Saturday, July 4, the District dispatched firefighting resources to 63 grass, structure other fires, including those burning in backyards, in dumpsters and in vehicles. For the entire Independence Day weekend, responses numbered 93 for fires.

Despite 60-plus grass, vegetation and other exterior fires burning Saturday night across the Con Fire district the evening of the Fourth, not a single structure was lost as a result of these fires, according to Steve Hill, spokesman for Con Fire.

"In one of the most dangerous fires, initially reported just before 11 p.m. in the vicinity of Southwood Drive and Oak Hills Drive in Pittsburg, more than 20 homes were threatened with fire burning to within 30 feet of several," Hill said. "Some 20 fire apparatus and crews worked for more than hour to contain this blaze without involvement of any homes."

Of 13 structure fires that occurred over the holiday weekend, three are known to have, and others are suspected of having been, caused by illegal fireworks use, Hill said.

One was caused by a homeowner placing expended fireworks in a garbage can next to their home, which ignited the can’s contents, quickly spreading to the home’s exterior. In the second case, fireworks set off in an adjacent alleyway started a fire in a nearby home.

"Thanks to quick reporting and fire responses, damage in each of these cases was minor," Hill said.

The Contra Costa Regional Fire Communications Center experienced an "unprecedented" level of calls between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. the evening of the Fourth — stretching dispatchers and firefighters to the limit, Hill said.

Crews were dispatched to nearly 50 fire incidents alone.

"At the height of the two-hour period, due to demand for emergency services, Con Fire was forced to limit assignments to all but structure fires to a single fire engine, increasing risks for both residents and firefighters," Hill said.

Calls for emergency medical services were also up significantly over normal, non-holiday
periods with some of this increase likely attributable to fireworks activity, Hill said.

On July 3, ambulances were dispatched on 272 EMS calls, which resulted in 182 patient transports. On the Fourth, 378 EMS incidents were responded to with 232 transported and on July 5, there were a total of 325 EMS incidents responded to with 194 transports made. During a non-holiday period, an average of 200 daily transports would be expected.

By The Numbers: Con Fire Synopsis Of Fireworks-Related Data, Fourth of July Holiday 2020

Because of considerable and costly preparation by Con Fire and other fire jurisdictions, disaster was in large part averted in Contra Costa County. Con Fire’s preparations included adding staffing for two firefighting bulldozers, an extra hand crew, an extra wildland fire engine and crew, an extra water tender and crew, an extra battalion chief and an extra dispatcher. All four of the district's fire investigators were also on duty.

"Working with fire agencies across the region, two firefighting task forces were also established
consisting of four firefighting apparatus, crews and a chief officer each," Hill said. "One task force was available July 3 and two on the evening of the Fourth."

Cooperating agencies included Con Fire, the East Bay Regional Parks District, the Federal Fire Department MOTCO and the San Ramon Valley, East Contra Costa and Moraga-Orinda fire protection districts.

"Additionally, the entire Con Fire command staff was on duty in the District Operations Center in
Pittsburg and around the District to provide leadership and manage resources throughout the
evening of the Fourth," Hill said.

"This weekend’s experience across our District and the County proves beyond any doubt that, in
addition to being illegal, fireworks are dangerous, capable especially in current fire season
weather conditions of causing maiming injuries and sparking fires that can quickly threaten lives
and property. Con Fire urges all resident to avoid the use of any fireworks anywhere in Contra
Costa County."