Safely celebrate July 4th – Avoid fireworks and certain hillside roads

Fireworks are illegal citywide and increase the risk of fires, wildfires. Grizzly Peak Blvd., Panoramic Way, and Prospect St. will close to non-residents. 

Help keep Berkeley safe this holiday by not using fireworks within the city, especially in the hills - where non-resident access will be limited.

Fireworks are illegal in Berkeley and many surrounding cities. They can cause severe injuries and start fires. Explosives, sparklers, and other fireworks pose particular risks in the hills, where dry plants and shrubs can fuel fast-spreading fires.

To help better protect the hills, certain streets will be closed for 24 hours starting at 4 a.m. on July 4 and will reopen at 5 a.m. on July 5.

Access to the following streets will be limited mostly to residents in cars, on bikes, or on foot: 

• Grizzly Peak Boulevard, from Centennial Drive to Skyline Boulevard
• Panoramic Way
• Prospect Street

Celebrate the Fourth in a way that works best for your household while also helping keep Berkeley safe for everyone.

Grizzly Peak closure also affects Lawrence Hall of Science, UC Botanical Garden

To reduce fire risk and traffic, many hillside sites will be closed on July 4: Lawrence Hall of Science, the UC Botanical Garden and UC Berkeley campus hiking trails.

The Steam Trains and the parking lot at the south end of Tilden Regional Park will be closed on July 4. Use the designated turnaround to head back down Lomas Cantadas.

No stopping will be allowed along Grizzly Peak, where all turnouts will be closed. The closed portion of Grizzly Peak Boulevard will remain open only to the following types of transportation, to ensure emergency vehicles have quick access: 

• residents in cars, on bikes, or on foot
• ride-share vehicles
• delivery vehicles

Unless people can show they live on Grizzly Peak Boulevard or in the immediate area, through traffic will be stopped at:

• Centennial Drive, between Stadium Rim Way and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• Claremont Avenue, Fish Ranch Road, and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• Lomas Cantadas and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• South Park and Grizzly Peak Boulevard
• Skyline Boulevard and Grizzly Peak Boulevard

All closures are coordinated in partnership with UC Berkeley, the City of Oakland, the East Bay Regional Park District, and Alameda County.

Fireworks are illegal throughout Berkeley

Fireworks-including those marketed as "safe and sane"- are not allowed in Berkeley. The same rules apply in East Bay Regional Parks, including Tilden Regional Park and McLaughlin Eastshore State Park.

You may be responsible for fires, injuries, and property damage caused by your fireworks. If you have or find fireworks, bring them to personnel at any Berkeley Fire Station for safe disposal.

If you see fireworks being used, please report them to Berkeley Police non-emergency dispatch at (510) 981-5900.

Celebrate safely-for yourself and our community.

Report fireworks, reduce fire risk in the City

• Turn in fireworks you have or find to any Berkeley Fire Station. 
• Sign up for AC Alert to receive emergency alerts. 
• Visit FireSafe Berkeley to learn about programs to protect your property and community.

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