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

cultureJul 5, 2026571,962

Residents in San Francisco, Oakland, Seattle, Los Angeles and other West Coast cities reported hours of explosive, close-range fireworks on July 4 that many described as sounding "like a war zone." Posters said the blasts produced smoky, hazy air, falling debris and multiple brush or vegetation fires, and one account noted a fire-watch app alerting crews to a nearby vegetation fire. Numerous residents reported panicked, injured or missing pets, with one person saying they spent 2.5 hours searching for a dog before finding her. Several posts noted fireworks are illegal in some city limits yet enforcement was lax, and one post mentioned a $2,000 fine that did not stop local displays. Others emphasized health impacts, including anxiety, chest palpitations and distress among veterans and wildlife. Residents said the volume and duration lasted for hours and in some neighborhoods began days earlier, prompting calls for better enforcement and more responsible celebration behavior.