Dry weather sparks early concerns over fireworks

DUBLIN, Calif. (KGO) -- Legal fireworks will soon be going on sale ahead of the July 4th holiday, but the dry, hot weather already has Bay Area residents worried about the potential fire danger they bring.

Fireworks stands in the East Bay will open on Saturday -- nine in Dublin, nine in Newark, five in Tracy and 17 in Union City.

"I'm not gonna be buying fireworks this year I feel with the drought conditions it's really a hazard, and I don't know why towns are still allowing this to be done," Dublin resident Mary Ellen Nieto said.

There's a lot of concern in the dry, hot regions of the East Bay where grass fires have already been frequent.

"People are going to drink and then do something stupid," Alamo resident Garrett Gritz said.

In Dublin, police are hoping to confine the 4th of July celebrating to the parking lots at four public parks. Anything that goes up in the sky and explodes is illegal.

"Usually in Dublin, you can hear fireworks and see them in the sky and usually you can hear them," Dublin resident Maria Herald said.

And that's what worries many residents.

Dublin's police department says it'll have 13 extra officers on patrol on the 4th of July, and the Alameda County Fire Department is beefing up its force by 25 percent.