East Bay firefighters warn of extreme fire danger this Fourth of July

Byby Cornell Barnard KGO logo
Monday, June 29, 2015
East Bay firefighters warn of extreme fire danger this July 4th
An Alameda County Fire battalion chief has big concerns about the record drought and extreme heat hitting the Bay Area this week.

DUBLIN, Calif. (KGO) -- Extreme heat and dry conditions have firefighters in the East Bay on high alert. The concern is doubled in cities where the sale of fireworks is still legal.

Dublin residents Ru Zhou and Laura Ngyuen are stocking up fireworks for an Independence Day party and they say safety will be part of the celebration.

"We put them in driveway, away from grass, and have water," Zhou said.

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You must be 18 to buy safe and sane fireworks. Every purchase comes with safety tips and a list of parks where it's OK to light them.

Alameda County Fire Batt. Chief Alan Evans has big concerns about record drought and extreme heat headed our way. His department has heavy firefighting equipment ready to go. He knows fireworks will be part of the equation.

"They consider it safe and sane, but it's still playing with fire," Evans said.

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A lit cigarette is the possible cause of a grass fire last week near Livermore which burned 53 acres damaged one home and injured a firefighter.

Volunteers selling the safe and sane fireworks to benefit Dublin High School's athletic boosters know the risks and they tell customers to be careful.

"We do remind them how dry it is. I don't think people really need that reminder, we're all painfully aware," Robin Amador with the Dublin High School athletic boosters said.

Extra firefighters will be on duty for the July 4th weekend.

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