SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA – Santa Clara County Fire Chiefs are encouraging community members to enjoy professional fireworks displays to avoid potential injuries and fires. Every year, illegal fireworks are responsible for thousands of emergency room visits and millions of dollars of property loss across the US. Professional fireworks displays are planned throughout Santa Clara County to offer families a safe way to enjoy the July 4th holiday.
Our local fire department leaders weigh in on the importance of staying away from illegal fireworks.
“It is imperative to recognize and understand the true danger of illegal fireworks. Every year, we see people getting seriously and permanently injured because they underestimate the power of these fireworks explains Gilroy Fire Department Head, Scot Smithee. “I strongly urge everyone to prioritize safety on July 4th by enjoying a professional firework show organized by licensed experts.”
Santa Clara County Fire Chief Suwanna Kerdkaew shares her thoughts on the hazards associated with fireworks. “The inherent risk of using illegal fireworks makes it just not worth it. Tens of thousands of injuries happen every year from fireworks. Enjoy your family time this 4th of July holiday season and visit one of the many professional fireworks displays offered in your local community.”
CAL FIRE Santa Clara Unit Chief Baraka Carter explains, “As we approach the peak fire season, it’s important to prioritize safety over excitement. With the 4th of July upon us, the use of Illegal fireworks may seem thrilling, but they come with significant risks.” Chief Carter continues, “For your safety, the safety of others, and the safety of our communities, make sure you adhere to all local regulations when it comes to the use of safe and sane fireworks or, opt to attend a professional fireworks display instead. Let’s prioritize safety over risk and make this 4th of July a fun and enjoyable one for all!”
Arthur Belton, Deputy Chief of Milpitas Fire Department states that, “A significant numbers of injuries along with catastrophic and devastating fires are caused by the use of illegal fireworks. Ensure a celebratory and safe July 4th holiday by leaving the fireworks to the professionals.”
“Illegal fireworks generate ignition sources for fires that are disastrous to our residents. The injuries, property loss, and strain on resources due to illegal fireworks use is entirely preventable. Those who enjoy fireworks are encouraged to attend the numerous free professional shows around the City of San José and Santa Clara County to celebrate responsibly.” – San Jose Fire Chief Robert Sapien, Jr.
“As we approach the 4th of July, I want to remind everyone about the potential dangers associated with illegal fireworks. While fireworks can bring excitement to the holiday, it is crucial to acknowledge that illegal fireworks can cause serious injuries to our loved ones, damage to property, and irreversible harm to our environment. Be responsible and prioritize safety. There are several professional firework displays for you to attend to fully enjoy the brilliance of the festivities while ensuring safety of all. Together, we can make this a safe and memorable 4th of July.” – Geo Blackshire, Palo Alto Fire Department
“It is imperative that the community knows the risks involved in using illegal fireworks, so injuries and tragedies can be prevented,” says Santa Clara City Fire Chief Ruben Torres. “The safest way to enjoy fireworks is to watch the professional displays. Fireworks are illegal and are just not work the risk.” The City of Mountain View Fire Chief Juan Diaz wants everyone to, “enjoy the 4th of July Holiday with family and friends and leave the fireworks to the professionals.”
Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety Chief Phan S. Ngo reminds everyone that “using illegal fireworks, particularly during the dry summer months, dramatically increases the chances of fire outbreaks. Illegal fireworks are a significant and dangerous source of fires and cause numerous injuries every year. Instead, I encourage everyone to celebrate the 4th of July by attending one of the many planned professional fireworks displays.”
Professional fireworks displays are planned on July 4, 2024, at the following locations:
| Gilroy | Gilroy High School – 750 W. 10th St | 9:30 PM |
| Milpitas | Milpitas Sports Center – 1325 E. Calaveras Blvd | 9:00 PM |
| Morgan Hill | Morgan Hill Sports Center – 16500 Condit Rd | 9:00 PM |
| Mountain View | Shoreline Amphitheater – One Amphitheater Pkwy | 8:00 PM |
| San Jose | Almaden Lake Park – 6099 Winfield Blvd | 9:15 PM |
| San Jose | Lake Cunningham Park – 2305 S. White Rd | 9:00 PM |
| Santa Clara | Great America – 4701 Great America Pkwy | 9:40 PM |
If there is an active fire or medical emergency, community members should call 9-1-1.
LOS GATOS – June 12, 2024 – This morning, Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) and Los Gatos homeowner Tyrone Willingham discussed a recent vegetation fire that occurred in his community and how the work he and his neighbors completed to create defensible space helped prevent a potentially devastating wildfire.
County Fire responded to reports of a vegetation fire on the 200 block of Mountain Laurel Lane in the Town of Los Gatos at approximately 2:13pm on May 29, 2024. Upon arrival, firefighters encountered a vegetation fire with one residential structure immediately threatened. Firefighters were able to stop forward progress quickly, containing the fire to just over one acre and keeping the fire from spreading to nearby homes and open space.
In early spring each year, County Fire mails just over 11,000 notices to property owners located in the wildland urban interface in areas designated high-risk and very-high-risk fire hazard severity zones. The wildland urban interface describes areas where developed land meets wilderness. High fire hazard severity zones are identified based on vegetation density, slope severity, and other relevant factors that contribute to fire severity.
The letters advise property owners of their requirement to take steps to mitigate wildfire risk and serve as a guide on the steps they can take to make their homes and neighborhoods more resilient to vegetation fires.
“We received a letter in early spring that talks about defensible space and what we should do as homeowners to protect ourselves and most importantly protect our neighbors,” said Tyrone Willingham. “We cut our grass, put them in a manner that they were near the ground so that if a fire did pop-up, we could have a chance to save our homes and save our community.”
The work Mr. Willingham and his neighbors completed is a great example of how effective defensible space can be at preventing the spread of fire.
“We have a false sense of security this year because we had a lot of rain and people are not thinking about fire,” said Assistant Fire Marshal Jeremy Davis. “The issue is that this year we’re probably going to burn more acres because that water allowed for more vegetation and tall grasses to grow. That poses a challenge because that makes fire move so fast. This is where the defensible space really helps.”
This incident highlighted that the land is primed for vegetation fires this summer. With drying fuels and the increase in temperatures, we must all be alert to wildfire risks and take proactive steps to mitigate hazards in and around our homes. The collaborative efforts by proactive homeowners to create defensible space, and the quick, aggressive, attack by firefighters contributed to rapid containment of the incident without any loss of property.
For more information on how to prepare your home for wildfires, please visit sccfd.org/rsg.
Attend a free wildfire preparedness workshop hosted in partnership with the California Department of Insurance
Saturday, May 4 is Wildfire Preparedness Day and Santa Clara County Fire Department invites community members to a wildfire preparedness workshop from 10am to noon in Redwood Estates, Los Gatos.
“We’re pleased to offer community members this wildfire preparedness workshop on such a significant day,” said Santa Clara County Deputy Fire Chief Hector Estrada. “With fire season on the horizon, the time to prepare for wildfire is now and I hope the community will join us to learn how.”
This comprehensive wildfire preparedness workshop will provide an overview of evacuation planning and readiness, steps to make properties more fire resilient, and the County’s emergency notification systems.
The workshop will also cover the pressing issue of home insurance for county residents who reside in the WUI. Attendees will receive guidance on California Assembly Bill 38 and the buying and selling of homes in the WUI. A representative from the California Department of Insurance will also be present to assist homeowners who are struggling with insurance options.
The workshop will consist of three 30-minutes presentations with the following focus areas.
Ready, Set, Go
- Making your home and property more fire resilient
- Developing a wildfire action plan
- How to respond to extreme fire conditions
- Emergency notification systems
Evacuation Planning and Readiness
- Know the escape routes from your neighborhood
- Understanding evacuation terminology
- Monitor conditions using trusted sources of information
Buying, Selling and Insuring a Home in the WUI
- Overview of CA Assembly Bill 38
- Scheduling a property inspection when selling a home in the WUI
- Accessible home insurance in high-risk areas
- Policy cost saving incentives
- Creating a resilient California insurance market
For more information and to register for the wildfire workshop, visit sccfd.org. Additional wildfire workshops are planned May 8 in Los Altos Hills and May 14 in Saratoga both from 6-8pm.
SCCFD to begin wildfire mitigation project on Prospect Road
LOS GATOS, Calif. – Santa Clara County Fire Department (SCCFD), in partnership with the City of Saratoga, is providing notice of a wildfire mitigation project scheduled to begin April 10, 2024. The goals of this project are to create vertical and horizontal space between vegetation, remove dead materials, and prune trees overhanging this vital evacuation route. Work performed is intended to reduce risk related to fire and other disasters by providing a safer route for community members and first responders to move into and out of this community.
Work will be performed on Prospect Road between Maria Lane and Fremont Older Open Space Preserve. The Santa Clara County Fire Department Vasona Fire Fuels Crew will be working 9AM-4PM Tuesday-Thursday through April 18th. Drivers are urged to slow down and drive with extra caution in the work area.
Traffic Information
There will be a lane closure on part of Prospect Road (while work is performed) to make space for the crew and equipment. Traffic control will include signage and individuals directing traffic as needed.
This work is part of an effort SCCFD is undertaking to implement projects that promote wildfire safety and resilience for our community members.
On Monday, December 25, 2023, at approximately 4:50 a.m., Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) responded to reports of smoke coming from a commercial structure located at 4600 El Camino Real in Los Altos. Following a 3-alarm fire response, consisting of approximately 60 first responders, the fire was declared under control at 1:53 p.m. The building was declared a complete loss and at risk of collapsing, leading the city of Los Altos Building Division to close a portion of eastbound El Camino Real between San Antonio Road and Sherwood Avenue.
Fire investigators immediately began work to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Although this remains an active investigation, the investigative work onsite concluded on Tuesday, January 30. On this date, County Fire released the site to the building owners, property managers, and the city of Los Altos to conclude the demolition process.
The debris removal began on Thursday, February 1, with shoring to follow, marking the final stages of the demolition process. This phase will continue over the next two weeks and requires the current road closure to remain in place.
Inquiries regarding the fire investigation should be directed to the County Fire Public Information Officer Matt Mokhtarian at publicinfo@sccfd.org.
Inquiries regarding the building demolition and road closure should be directed to the city of Los Altos Public Information Officer Sonia Lee at slee@sccfd.org.
January 12, 2024
Fire Contact: Erica Ray, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Information Specialist
Phone: 408-341-4444
Email: publicinfo@sccfd.org
City Contact: Sonia Lee, City of Los Altos, Public Information Officer
Phone: 650- 947-2611
Email: slee@losaltosca.gov
Update on demolition plans for 4600 El Camino Real
Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) continues to collaborate with the City of Los Altos, California Department of Transportation, and business and property owners of 4600 El Camino Real.
Demolition plans have been postponed until further notice. All parties are committed to providing advanced notice to allow time for media outlets to plan for coverage of the dismantling.
Questions can be referred to the contacts listed above.
January 9, 2024
Fire Contact: Erica Ray, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Information Specialist
Phone: 408-341-4444
Email: publicinfo@sccfd.org
City of Los Altos Contact: Sonia Lee, City of Los Altos, Public Information Officer
Phone: 650- 947-2611
Email: slee@losaltosca.gov
Fire investigation update for the Christmas Day Los Altos commercial structure fire
Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) arson investigators immediately began their investigative process following the 3-alarm fire at 4600 El Camino Real in Los Altos on December 25, 2023.
Fire investigators continue to work in collaboration with the City of Los Altos Building Division and several private insurance agencies to complete a thorough fire investigation that meets the needs of all parties. Due to fire damage, the building has been declared unsafe and at risk of collapse. As a result, eastbound El Camino Real between San Antonio Road and Sherwood Avenue has remained closed and fire investigators have not been able to access the interior of the building to safely complete the investigative process.
The City of Los Altos has approved the partial demolition of the front part of the building nearest El Camino Real to proceed. This will allow the fire investigation to continue and provide for the safe reopening of the closed segment of El Camino Real. Demolition is anticipated to begin on Wednesday, January 10, 2024. The demolition process will be completed systematically to preserve the integrity of the site as much as possible as the investigative process continues.
A portion, if not all the closed section of El Camino Real, is anticipated to reopen as early as Thursday, January 11, 2024. As additional newsworthy updates become available, County Fire will continue to share more information.
Questions can be referred to County Fire’s Information and Public Affairs Office at 408-341-4444 or publicinfo@sccfd.org.
January 2, 2024
Contact: Erica Ray, Santa Clara County Fire Department, Information Specialist
Phone: 408-341-4444
Email: publicinfo@sccfd.org
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Fire investigation to determine cause of Christmas Day fire in Los Altos ongoing
On Monday, December 25, 2023, at approximately 4:50 a.m., Santa Clara County Fire Department (County Fire) responded to reports of smoke coming from a commercial structure located at 4600 El Camino Real in Los Altos. A full first structure fire response was immediately dispatched, consisting of three fire engines, one fire truck, one rescue company, one hazardous materials unit, one breathing support unit, two battalion chiefs, and one incident support/safety officer. Included in this initial dispatch was one fire engine from Mountain View Fire Department with the rest of the resources consisting of County Fire personnel.
Upon arrival, firefighters found heavy smoke coming from the first floor of a two-story, 20,000 square foot commercial building. As the fire progressed, a second alarm was called at 5:10 a.m. consisting of an additional two fire engines, one fire truck, one rescue company, and one battalion chief. Firefighters initially began with an aggressive offensive interior fire attack, entering the building to both fight the fire and confirm there were no individuals inside in need of rescue.
A third alarm was called at 5:22 a.m. with Mountain View Fire Department and Palo Alto Fire Department sending resources to fulfill the balance of the response. Once fire extended to the roof of the structure, firefighters were pulled from the interior of the building due to the risk of the roof collapsing. The firefight continued from the exterior of the building until it was declared under control at 1:53 p.m.
In total, there were approximately 60 first responders on the firegrounds at the height of the incident. Thankfully, there were no injuries to civilians or first responders.
Due to the continued risk of the building collapsing, eastbound El Camino Real between San Antonio Road and Sherwood Avenue will remain closed at the direction of the City of Los Altos Building Division, until the building owner can arrange for it to be demolished.
As of this morning, the fire investigation is ongoing. County Fire is working with the City of Los Altos, building owner, tenants, and insurance companies to ensure a safe and thorough investigation. Our team is working diligently to determine the cause of the fire while prioritizing public safety and the coordination necessary with external partners for the safe and expeditious reopening of eastbound El Camino Real. Updates will continue to be released as they become available.
Questions can be referred to County Fire’s Information and Public Affairs Office at 408-341-4444 or publicinfo@sccfd.org.
Santa Clara County Fire Department is hiring entry-level Firefighter/Engineers! Join us for a live webinar to learn more about our Department, our Firefighter/Engineer hiring process, and minimum qualifications for the position. You will also have an opportunity to ask questions of our current firefighters.
JOIN US
Wednesday, October 11, 2023 – 7:00-9:00 p.m.
Zoom: http://qrs.ly/ktf5rdr (password: SCCFD)
Phone: 669-444-9171 (meeting ID: 899 3470 2645)
We hope to see you there!
