Contra Costa County fire gets 1,100 calls on 4th of July; illegal fireworks prompt Antioch evacuations [Video]

ANTIOCH, Calif. (KGO) — The Contra Costa County Fire Protection District had a busy Fourth of July responding to fires, including one that prompted evacuations near Hillcrest Avenue in Antioch that began around 10 p.m.

Anthony Hamilton knows he and his family are lucky to be alive as he tours his backyard that used to be blocked off by a fence. He says they only had minutes to evacuate as a wildfire raced up the hill. It was likely started by the illegal fireworks being shot off in the shopping plaza below.

“This is our house on the hillside. It’s going up the hill. We were about to get burned out of our home!” Hamilton described on a video he recorded at the bottom of the hill.

He’s not coming home this weekend. Concerned about the health impacts of the lingering smoke on his finance and young son.

“Figuring out what to pack, how long am I …