Fires sparked by illegal fireworks Tuesday night forced Fresno Fire Department crews to suspend responses to medical emergencies, as Fresno, Clovis and Fresno County reported a 65 percent increase in fire responses this year compared to 2016.
In assessing a Fourth of July weekend that strained fire departments, officials said firefighters from the three agencies received 325 calls for service and responded to 98 vegetation fires, two vehicle fires, two apartment fires and three residential fires.
By late Tuesday, Fresno firefighters had battled at least 11 grass fires and called for assistance from both Clovis and Fresno County fire departments. Just after midnight, the Fresno department tweeted that the grass fires were under control and medical service would resume.