Cities and states across the United States are enacting restrictions on fireworks displays as the nation prepares for its 250th Independence Day celebrations, citing extreme wildfire risks fueled by record dry conditions. Utah has banned personal fireworks statewide, with Governor Spencer Cox declaring an emergency due to the elevated danger. Governors in Colorado and New Mexico have also urged residents to exercise restraint.
Across the western U.S., hundreds of wildfires have erupted in recent weeks, exacerbating an already above-average pace for acreage burned this year. These fires are being driven by dry, windy weather patterns. While the Southwest has been particularly impacted by a dry winter and low snowpack, drought conditions are also present to varying degrees along the East Coast and in parts of the South.
Fireworks serve as a significant ignition source, contributing to a yearly spike in fires around July 4th, according to fire ecology professor Philip Higuera. "It's not because the Fourth of July is particularly always warm and dry and windy," Higuera stated. "It's because there are a lot of ignitions added to the landscape on that single day."
Decisions regarding fireworks restrictions are being made at the local level in many areas, even as some professional displays are still planned. Colorado Springs, Colorado's second-largest city, canceled its fireworks display shortly after a wildfire surged across 55 square miles south of the city, destroying numerous structures. Some Florida counties have also implemented burn bans.
For the fireworks industry, which generated $2.3 billion last year, this year's celebrations, coinciding with America 250, could boost sales to an estimated $3 billion, according to Julie Heckman, executive director of the American Pyrotechnics Association. Heckman advises consumers to purchase from licensed sellers and to follow safety instructions carefully. She also emphasizes having a bucket of water readily available to douse spent fireworks before disposal, as residual heat can still pose a fire hazard.
Wildland fire expert Joe Ten Eyck highlighted that "conditions dictate the tactics," which may require people to celebrate in different ways. Intentionally or unintentionally causing a wildfire is a punishable offense nationwide, with penalties varying by jurisdiction. Experts and officials recommend attending professional displays, which often have fire crews on standby, as the safest option. Some professional shows are now incorporating drone displays as an alternative to pyrotechnics, further reducing fire risks.