Fear of Wildfires Leads to July Fourth Fireworks Cancellations

Fire danger across much of the country has prompted cancellation of July 4 fireworks displays.

In northern Arizona, Prescott’s fire chief says he’s canceling the town’s Fourth of July fireworks show as much of the Southwest deals with extreme to exceptional drought conditions. Fire Chief Dennis Light says it’s in the best interest of public safety to cancel the Prescott show because of dry conditions.

He says the event organizer agrees with the decision.

Prescott Recreation Services Director Joe Baynes says the town plans to instead use the fireworks during its Octoberfest Event, set for September 22.

A New Mexico county has followed suit. A Fourth of July fireworks show in Los Alamos County has been canceled due to dry conditions and extreme fire danger as crews battle blazes elsewhere around New Mexico.

The Los Alamos Monitor reports that County Fire Chief Troy Hughes broke the news recently to the Kiwanis Club, which puts on the show in the community of White Rock. Hughes said the forecast provides no indication that the area will receive any significant rainfall soon.

Much of the northern half of New Mexico is dealing with extreme to exceptional drought conditions.

The Fourth of July event at Overland Park draws thousands of people from the area and is one of the biggest fundraisers for the Kiwanis Club. The club said the fireworks will be stored and used next year.

The Midwest, too, is also suffering from excessive heat.

It’s likely going to be too hot for fireworks, at least for a few Ohio communities.

Organizers of Fourth of July celebrations in Springfield Township and Swanton, both near Toledo, have canceled fireworks shows because of extreme heat.

Excessive heat warnings were also in effect in Michigan, Indiana and Illinois.

Topics Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire Mexico New Mexico