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Neighbors say July 4 fireworks 'sound like a war zone'

cultureJul 5, 2026501,451

Residents in San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle and Los Angeles reported hours of explosive fireworks on July 4 that many described as sounding like a war zone. Accounts say fireworks created smoky, hazy air, reverberating explosions and prolonged noise that panicked pets; one person spent 2.5 hours searching for a dog who was later found. Several posts describe illegal fireworks and brush or vegetation fires triggered close to homes, and at least one neighborhood received a fire-watch alert while a nearby department deployed a drone to document violations. People reported emotional distress, sleeplessness and attempts to flee or seek quieter lodging to escape the continuous blasts. The persistent loud displays continued despite local prohibitions in some areas, leaving enforcement and public-safety monitoring as the immediate next steps for officials.