The Oakland Fire Department hoped the presence of its fully staffed 24 fire engines would curtail illegal activity.
"We have a heightened awareness with the citizens and we're letting them know that we're there, if a fire was to happen and we're out patrolling, we're going to get there quicker," said OFD Batt. Chief Lisa Baker.
The sporadic sounds of explosions continued through the night, including flourishes of professional grade fireworks which didn't go unappreciated by onlookers.
"When you're a responsible parent and you know what you're doing, you've been doing it for so many years, have fun, as long as you're in a safe environment away from dry grass and kids and a lot of houses, then have fun," said Oakland resident Shef P.
As of 11 p.m., no serious incidents involving fireworks in the city of Oakland had been reported.
In Concord, however, Fourth of July celebrations sent one man to the hospital. Police got a call about a man who suffered a traumatic injury to his hand because of fireworks. It happened at Olivera Road shortly before 8 p.m. The man was taken to a nearby hospital where his injuries are being treated.
And in San Francisco, an estimated 200,000 people gathered at Aquatic Park along the San Francisco waterfront for one of the biggest displays in the Bay Area Monday night.
