Bay Area News Group photographer Jose Carlos Fajardo chased vegetation fires suspected to be caused by illegal fireworks on the Fourth of July in Eastern Contra Costa County. Around 8:45 pm, he found a palm tree burning off Somersville Road in Antioch. Fajardo continued to find 12 vegetation fires over the course of three hours.
A Contra Costa firefighter extinguishes a hot spot at a vegetation fire by illegal fireworks on Somersville Road during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Contra Costa firefighters rest for a moment while extinguishing hot spot at a vegetation fire by illegal fireworks on Somersville Road during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Illegal fireworks explode in the night sky during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
People launch illegal fireworks from their street during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Tomales Bay Drive, Pittsburg
A Contra Costa firefighter approaches a fence on fire caused by illegal fireworks at a residence on Tomales Bay Drive during the Fourth of July celebrations in Pittsburg, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A family gathers on their front porch as they watch firefighters battle a fire caused by illegal fireworks across the street on Tomales Bay Drive during the Fourth of July celebrations in Pittsburg, Calif., on 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 residence on Tomales Bay Drive during the Fourth of July celebrations in Pittsburg, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Morgan Way, Antioch
Contra Costa firefighters attempt to extinguish thick brush that caught fire from illegal fireworks on Morgan Way during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Contra Costa firefighters attempt to extinguish thick brush that caught fire by illegal fireworks on Morgan Way during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on 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 fears the fire might reach homes in the neighborhood. The two-acre fire did not burn any structures, and there were no reported injuries. Residents returned to their homes after the fire was under control, 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 endangers homes on Lotus Court during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
A tree catches fire as a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks endangers homes on Lotus Court during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on 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 concerted efforts, the fire was successfully extinguished, as confirmed by spokesperson Capt. Victor Daniel.
A driver stops to record video of vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks on Hillcrest Avenue during the Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
Sycamore Drive and L Street, Antioch
An illegal firework explodes above the heads of Contra Costa firefighters as they finish extinguishing a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on Thursday, July 4, 2024. The vegetation fire was at the corner of Sycamore Drive and L Street. (Jose Carlos Fajardo/Bay Area News Group)
An illegal firework explodes above the head of a Contra Costa firefighter as he attempts to extinguish a vegetation fire caused by illegal fireworks during Fourth of July celebrations in Antioch, Calif., on 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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