On November 11, 2004 a training burn was conducted utilizing the former location of Station 76 on Civic Drive in Hercules. From the late 80’s to 1990 the Rodeo-Hercules Fire District operated out of this facility. Operations, including administrative offices were transferred on February 1991 to the current location of Station 76 at 1680 Refugio Valley Road, Hercules.

The building had served as the offices for Hercules Chamber of Commerce for the last several years and is being removed to make way for a new fifty-one unit senior housing complex.

Because of environmental regulations, live training burns are becoming very rare. After meeting the requirements of Bay Area Air Quality the District was able to conduct this valuable training.

Headed by Fire Chief Gary Boyles engines from Rodeo-Hercules, Pinole, Contra Costa County and Crockett Fire converged for this daylong exercise.

During the course of the day several fires were set and entry made by crews to get a first hand real event experience. Once several scenarios were completed the building was allowed to burn to the ground.