Santa Clara County Fire Department

06/24/2026

With summer temperatures rising and local vegetation drying out rapidly, the risk of fire in both urban neighborhoods and wildland areas is exceptionally high. Nationwide, fireworks are responsible for thousands of emergency room visits and millions of dollars in property loss every year. Locally, illegal fireworks have historically ignited trees, fences, and homes across Santa Clara County, causing preventable property damage.

All consumer fireworks—including those labeled "Safe and Sane"—are dangerous and illegal to use, possess, or sell in almost all of Santa Clara County. The lone exception is the City of Gilroy, which permits "Safe and Sane" fireworks only within designated areas from 9:00 a.m. on July 1 through 10:00 p.m. on July 4. All other types of fireworks remain completely illegal in Gilroy and throughout the rest of the county.

Local emergency rooms treat individuals of all ages for fireworks-related injuries year after year, with severities ranging from moderate burns to life-altering trauma. Because fireworks-related fires and medical emergencies are 100% preventable, we're urging the entire community to celebrate responsibly.

Multiple cities across Santa Clara County have planned family-friendly community events and professional, sanctioned fireworks and drone displays for this Independence Day.

As always, remember to immediately call 9-1-1 if you observe an active fire or medical emergency.

2026 Fireworks Displays
Cupertino
Hyde Middle School: 19325 Bollinger Road
9:30 p.m. Fireworks Display

Gilroy
Gilroy High School: 750 W 10th Street
9:30 p.m. Fireworks Display

Milpitas
Milpitas Sports Center: 1325 E Calaveras Boulevard
6:00 p.m. Community Event Start Time
9:00 p.m. Fireworks Display

Morgan Hill
Morgan Hill Outdoor Sports Center: 16500 Condit Road
3:00 p.m. Community Event Start Time
9:00 p.m. Fireworks Display

Mountain View
Shoreline Amphitheatre: 1 Amphitheatre Parkway
7:00 p.m. Event Start Time
9:00 p.m. Fireworks Display

Santa Clara
Mission College: 3000 Mission College Boulevard
5:00 p.m. Community Event Start Time
9:40 p.m. Fireworks Display (courtesy of California’s Great America)

San Jose
Lake Cunningham: 2305 S White Road
9:00 p.m. Drone Show Start Time

Excite Ballpark: 588 E Alma Avenue
~9:00 p.m. Fireworks Display (fireworks begin after the ballgame July 3 & 4)

06/22/2026

Don't be scared - be prepared.

A new geological study dropped showing that stress on the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults is at a 1,000-year high, specifically around a junction called the Cajon Pass in Southern California. This doesn’t mean that a major earthquake is going to strike, no scientist can predict exactly when one will. But earthquakes are an inevitable part of living in our beautiful state, and this study serves as a great reminder for all of us to double-check our readiness.

Take 3 simple steps to prepare this week:

*Build a kit: Keep at least 72 hours of water (1 gallon per person per day), non-perishable food, flashlights, and a first-aid kit.

*Make a plan: Talk with your family about an emergency meeting spot and download the MyShake app for early warnings.

*Secure your space: Fasten heavy furniture, appliances, and mirrors to wall studs.

For more tips on how to prepare, or for a list of items to include in your emergency kit, visit sccfd.org.

Sciencedaily.com has a free version of the article if you’re interested in learning more.

06/19/2026

Today, Santa Clara County Fire Department joins our community in recognizing Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States and celebrating the history and contributions of Black Americans.

Please note: Our Administrative Offices are closed today in observance of the holiday. Normal office hours will resume on Monday, June 22. As always, emergency response operations remain fully staffed and firefighters are on duty 24/7.

06/18/2026

Collaboration is one of our greatest tools in protecting Santa Clara County. This week, we were proud to support Santa Clara County Parks with a CA-219 Wildland Firefighting-Firing Operations training they hosted at Coyote Creek Parkway.

As we head into peak wildfire season, this specialized training provided a timely and essential step to ensure local firefighters are sharp, synchronized, and ready for whatever summer brings.

As part of the training, firefighters conducted controlled, low intensity burns to clear out the heavy brush that could otherwise feed intense summer wildfires.

Together, we are proactive, prepared, and focused on keeping Santa Clara County safe.

06/17/2026

Joint statement from Los Altos Mayor Sally Meadows and Santa Clara County Fire Department Fire Chief Suwanna Kerdkaew.

"For the past 30 years, the City of Los Altos and the Santa Clara County Fire Department have built a trusted partnership dedicated to protecting your homes, families, and businesses. As we look toward the future, we are proud to stand together in support of the City’s proposed annexation—a critical step that ensures we permanently retain the high-caliber fire and emergency medical services our community depends on.

Mayor Sally Meadows:
'From the City's perspective, this annexation secures exceptional service for Los Altos taxpayers while protecting local resources. It is important for residents to understand that the Fire District is a separate legal entity with entirely separate finances from the County of Santa Clara. Every tax dollar allocated to the Fire District is legally dedicated to providing fire protection and emergency medical services; it cannot be diverted into broader county budgets.

By transferring the fire station properties to the Fire District, the ongoing financial obligation of maintaining and modernizing these facilities and investment in equipment and apparatus that keeps the community safe shifts entirely away from the City. Critical station upkeep will no longer have to compete for limited City General Fund dollars. We are effectively preserving Los Altos' local tax revenues for vital municipal needs like our community services and infrastructure maintenance.

Further, these property assets are fully protected within the LAFCO approval framework and explicitly memorialized in the annexation contract. Under strict State law, the Fire District is legally prohibited from acting unilaterally to dispose of these properties and the city maintains the first right of refusal. The properties will also be completely insulated from other types of development, such as housing or commercial zoning, and will remain permanently committed to public safety.'

Fire Chief Suwanna Kerdkaew:
'Modern public safety requires navigating the constantly changing evolution and complex needs of a 21st-century firefighting workforce, and the Fire District is uniquely equipped to handle these specialized operational demands. Moving forward, necessary infrastructure improvements, including modernization of equipment and fire stations, will be executed and engineered by the Fire District to align with those workforce needs.

I also want to provide absolute assurance regarding the future of these properties. The strategic placement of the existing Los Altos (10 Almond Ave.) and Loyola (765 Fremont Ave.) fire stations is critical to ensuring our firefighters can reach your emergency as quickly and safely as possible. There is no future scenario in which Los Altos will receive less coverage than what is currently provided by the Fire Department today. The goal is to build upon the existing infrastructure, not to reduce the Department’s operational capabilities. By transferring the fire station lands to the Fire District, it assures the land remains dedicated to delivering fire protection, rescue, and emergency medical services to the Los Altos community.'

Mayor Meadows & Chief Kerdkaew
We view this annexation as a true collaborative success. It locks in the permanent, world-class fire protection that Los Altos residents have counted on for the past 30 years, while establishing fair financial terms that empower both agencies to meet the evolving needs of the community."

Learn more at losaltosca.gov/SCCFD

06/15/2026

We're collaborating with Santa Clara County Parks on a wildfire training that will include a live burn this Wednesday and Thursday (June 17-18) near Morgan Hill. Smoke will be visible.

See more from County Parks below 🔽

Santa Clara County Parks is hosting a wildfire training at Coyote Creek Parkway from June 15 – 19 with support from Santa Clara County Fire Department.

The training is scheduled to include a live burn on June 17 and 18, weather permitting, between 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. There is a possibility of live fire on June 19 as well.

Smoke may be visible from locations around the county during this window. If you see smoke coming from the area, please do not call 911. Firefighters will already be on scene.

This controlled burn serves a dual purpose: it clears out overgrown brush to naturally reduce wildfire risks and promote native habitat growth, while giving firefighters vital, hands-on experience with live fire operations ahead of peak wildfire season.

Learn more about prescribed fire in County Parks:
https://parks.santaclaracounty.gov/conservation/fire-management

06/14/2026

Happy Flag Day from Santa Clara County Fire! 🇺🇸

Today, we honor the Stars and Stripes! Flag Day commemorates June 14, 1777, when the Continental Congress officially adopted the American flag as a symbol of unity, resilience, and freedom.

To celebrate, firefighters onEngine 81 at our Campbell fire stationtook our tribute to new heights! Geared up in full PPE and carrying their high-rise complement, the crew ascended to the top of Pruneyard Tower and captured these photos of Old Glory overlooking their first-due response area.

Whether it’s flying atop a tower or riding on the side of our engines, this flag reminds us of our commitment to protecting and serving the community every single day.

06/12/2026

Reminder: The final day to apply for our Firefighter/Engineer recruitment is Monday, June 15, 2026!

We’re looking for highly motivated individuals interested in supporting our commitment to providing top notch fire and emergency services.

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and have graduated high school or possess a GED. Several licenses and certifications are required at the time of application. Applicants are encouraged to review the requirements closely.

Learn more and apply at sccfd.org/employment.

06/12/2026

A brand-new Engine 67 is now in service in South Santa Clara County! We’re pleased to roll out this newest addition to our fleet. It is now in service at our Vineyard Fire Station.