Firefighters rush to put out July 4 blazes in Contra Costa County – The Mercury News

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A Contra Costa firefighter extinguishes a fire caused by illegal fireworks at a home on Tomales Bay Drive during a Fourth of July celebration in Pittsburgh, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Bay Area News Group photographer Jose Carlos Fajardo chased vegetation fires believed to have been caused by illegal fireworks on July 4 in Eastern Contra Costa County. At about 8:45 p.m., he found a burning palm tree on Somersville Road in Antioch. Fajardo found 12 vegetation fires in three hours.

A Contra Costa firefighter extinguishes a hot spot of a vegetation fire sparked by illegal fireworks on Somersville Road during Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Contra Costa firefighters take a moment to rest as they extinguish a hot spot of a vegetation fire sparked by illegal fireworks on Somersville Road during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Illegal fireworks explode in the night sky during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, California, Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

People set off illegal fireworks on their street during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Tomales Bay Drive, Pittsburgh

A Contra Costa firefighter approaches a fence that is burning as a result of illegal fireworks at a residence on Tomales Bay Drive during a Fourth of July celebration in Pittsburgh, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

A family gathers on a porch as firefighters battle a blaze caused by illegal fireworks across the street on Tomales Bay Drive during a Fourth of July celebration in Pittsburgh, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Contra Costa firefighters arrive at the scene of a fire caused by illegal fireworks at a home on Tomales Bay Drive during a Fourth of July celebration in Pittsburgh, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Morgan’s Road, Antioch

Contra Costa firefighters try to extinguish a thick brush fire that was ignited by illegal fireworks on Morgan Way during the Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Lotus Court, Antioch

Crews went door-to-door and evacuated residents on Lotus Street after initial concerns that the fire could reach homes in the area. The 2-acre blaze did not burn any structures and no injuries were reported. Residents returned to their homes after the fire was contained, according to Contra Costa Fire Protection District officials.

Caden Pollard, 16, from left, and his sister Mia Pollard, 17, watch as a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks threatens homes on Lotus Court during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

A tree catches fire as a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks threatens homes on Lotus Court during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Hillcrest Avenue, Antioch

At approximately 10:05 p.m., Contra Costa Fire Protection District crews responded to the 2700 block of Hillcrest Avenue. After 55 minutes of combined efforts, the fire was successfully extinguished, spokesman Capt. Victor Daniel confirmed.

A driver stops to record video of a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks on Hillcrest Avenue during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Sycamore Drive and L Street, Antioch

Illegal fireworks explode overhead as Contra Costa firefighters finish extinguishing a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. The vegetation fire was at the corner of Sycamore Drive and L Street. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

Illegal fireworks explode over the head of a Contra Costa firefighter as he tries to extinguish a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks during a Fourth of July celebration in Antioch, Calif., Thursday, July 4, 2024. The vegetation fire was at the corner of Sycamore Drive and L Street. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)

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