Overview
- A Golden Gate Bridge fireworks display on July 4 drew about 100,000 people but was largely hidden by fog and required wide road and parking closures around the Presidio and waterfront.
- The post-show exodus produced hours of gridlock that overwhelmed Muni, BART and Caltrain and left many riders and drivers stranded for two to four hours.
- Numerous Waymo robotaxis stalled in the jams, with several idling until batteries drained and needing to be towed, one unoccupied vehicle catching fire after running over a firework, and at least one passenger car driving over a lit firework that frightened its occupants.
- San Francisco Fire Department crews handled more than 500 calls on July 4, including spot fires, a small Telegraph Hill wildfire that was contained, and two serious fireworks injuries while police dispersed large illegal neighborhood fireworks gatherings.
- Officials and Waymo say they are reviewing what went wrong after the event, with Waymo reporting it lacked notice of some Presidio closures and city supervisors calling for hearings to improve coordination for future large events.