Multiple roads surrounding Grizzly Peak Boulevard in the Oakland hills will close Saturday due to elevated wildfire risk from illegal fireworks activities during the Fourth of July holiday.
From Saturday at 4 a.m. to Sunday at 5 a.m., Lomas Cantadas at Grizzly Peak Boulevard between Skyline Boulevard, Claremont Avenue and Fish Ranch Road will remain closed, a Contra Costa County press release said.
The East Bay Regional Park District, Orinda Police Department, Moraga Police Department, Contra Costa County Public Works Department, Oakland Fire Department and Oakland Public Works announced the coordinated multi-agency fire safety operation on Wednesday in preparation for weekend holiday celebrations.
According to the release, the Oakland hills and surrounding neighborhoods “face elevated wildfire risk” due to dry vegetation, Diablo wind conditions and illegal fireworks activity during the holiday. The 1991 Oakland Hills Firestorm began in the same area and took more than 3,000 residences and 25 lives.
The release said the closure is designed to allow emergency vehicles to access the Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone, ensure public safety and take proactive steps to prevent a potential fire.
“Our hillside communities sit in some of the most fire-prone terrain in the state,” said Damon Covington, Oakland Fire Department’s fire chief, in the release. “Closing Grizzly Peak is one of the most effective tools we have to reduce the chance of catastrophic fire on a day when illegal fireworks are everywhere. We are asking the public to plan alternate routes and help us protect this community.”
The release also reminded residents that all fireworks are illegal in Oakland, Contra Costa County and the unincorporated areas of Alameda County. The local agencies encourage those celebrating to enjoy the professional, permitted fireworks displays instead.