The city of San Jose will host a Fourth of July drone show instead of setting off fireworks, after the city’s supply was destroyed when a warehouse in Yolo County exploded on Tuesday.
Shows in Cloverdale and St. Helena were canceled for the same reason.
San Jose pivoted to a lighted drone show that will start at 9 p.m. at Lake Cunningham. The event will feature live entertainment and food vendors.
San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan credited City Councilmember Domingo Candelas and city staff for the quick replacement and said in a video on X that he hoped the community would show up for the city’s first Fourth of July drone show.
The city of St. Helena said in a statement that its other planned Fourth of July festivities will continue as planned. A bike parade at Jacob Meily Park will start at 4:30 p.m. with on-site registration at 4 p.m. Lynam Park will host a community band performance at 5:30 p.m. The city’s Fourth of July Festival will be held at Crane Park at 6 p.m., followed by a screening of The Sandlot.
Seven people were missing after the explosion, as of Thursday. It sparked a fire that grew to 78 acres. Cal Fire is leading the response. The fire, dubbed the Oakdale Fire was 60% contained as of Thursday afternoon.
Yolo County undersheriff Matt Davis said at a press conference Thursday that the scene was still too dangerous to inspect and asked for patience from concerned families.
The warehouse is owned by a company called Devastating Pyrotechnics. The company released a statement on its website saying it will cooperate with the investigation as it continues.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with those we lost, their families, and everyone impacted in our community,” the company’s statement said. “We are grateful for the swift response of law enforcement and emergency personnel. Our focus will remain on those directly impacted by this tragedy, and we will cooperate fully with the proper authorities in their investigation.”